Turkey blocks Roblox amid child protection concerns

The decision was based on a law regulating internet broadcasting, with the minister emphasising the state’s constitutional duty to protect children from harmful technology.

Turkey flag is depicted on the screen with the program code

Türkiye has blocked access to the popular kids’ gaming platform Roblox due to concerns over content that could potentially lead to child abuse. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced the decision on X, citing a legal ruling based on a law regulating internet broadcasting. He emphasised the state’s constitutional duty to protect children and condemned the harmful use of technology.

The ban on Roblox is the latest in a series of measures targeting internet platforms in Türkiye. Recently, Instagram faced similar restrictions after a senior aide to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the social media platform of censoring posts related to the death of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Roblox has not yet responded to the request for comment regarding the ban. The company has been grappling with challenges related to keeping inappropriate content off its platform, including issues involving paedophiles.

The development highlights the ongoing tension between the Turkish government and digital platforms as authorities enforce stringent measures to control online content and protect vulnerable users.