Egypt bans Roblox gaming platform over child safety concerns

Egypt has officially banned Roblox, joining a growing list of Middle Eastern countries restricting access to the popular online gaming platform. The Supreme Council for Media Regulation announced the decision Wednesday. It cited concerns about protecting children from potentially harmful online content.The ban will be enforced through the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. It follows pressure from Egyptian Senator Walaa Hermas Radwandid, who flagged specific worries about kids chatting with strangers on the platform. He also raised concerns about "potential psychological and behavioral effects on young users."Roblox responded by reaching out to Egyptian authorities to find a solution. A company spokesperson said they've successfully worked with other regulators to adapt their platform to local cultural values. They're hoping for the same outcome in Egypt.Egypt isn't breaking new ground here. Iraq, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have all restricted Roblox access. Turkey and Russia went further with complete bans, specifically calling out LGBT content as their reason.The timing fits President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's recent push to limit children's phone use. Egypt's Senate just approved discussions on digital platform dangers days ago. Proposed regulations could force tech companies to verify users' ages and maintain physical offices in Egypt.This hits Roblox where it hurts financially. The company says it added $15 million to GDP across five MENA countries between 2021 and 2024. Egypt was one of those markets.The ban reflects a global shift. Australia recently barred under-16s from social media entirely. France is drafting similar laws. Even in the US, state attorneys general have pressured Roblox to tighten age verification after safety complaints. The platform rolled out stricter checks, though users report the new system has issues.