The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia have temporarily suspended chat features on Roblox as part of sweeping measures to protect children online. The decision responds to growing concerns over risks such as online predators, cyberbullying, hate speech, and exposure to inappropriate content.
Roblox Corporation confirmed its cooperation with regulators in both countries, noting it had rolled out more than 100 safety initiatives in 2025. These include an age-estimation system, Arabic-speaking moderators, and the suspension of both voice and text chat for users in Saudi Arabia.
The UAE Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) reinforced the move in a statement on X:
“Child safety online is a top priority. Together, we create a safe and supportive digital space for our children to explore, learn, and play with confidence.”
Meanwhile, Saudi newspaper Okaz reported that Roblox confirmed compliance with the General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM), ensuring stricter enforcement of content regulations and in-game violations.
Parents’ Concerns Spark Action over Roblox
The suspension follows complaints from parents and child safety advocates who raised alarms over harassment, unsafe interactions, and inappropriate content targeting young users.
In response, Roblox pledged to strengthen parental controls, improve Arabic-language content filtering, and expand its moderation systems.
The move reflects a broader global trend of tighter oversight in online gaming. Governments and platforms are increasingly balancing digital entertainment with the non-negotiable need for child protection.
By temporarily disabling Roblox chat in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, regulators and the platform are signaling that child safety is now a top priority, setting a precedent for how global platforms must adapt to local cultural and safety expectations.
