Roblox Officially Blocked in Egypt: Egypt has implemented a nationwide block on the Roblox platform. This decision was announced on January 31, 2026, by the Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR).
What Happened and When Was the Announcement Made?
The SCMR, led by deputy head Essam El-Amir, disclosed the decision during a Senate session. This session addressed the effects of social media and online platforms on adolescents. Senator Walaa Hermas Radwan had proposed regulating such platforms days earlier. She focused on protecting morals and education for children. The council is coordinating with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) and Ministry of Communications. They ensure enforcement through internet service providers (ISPs). Implementation started right away. Full access restrictions are expected by early February 2026.
This action follows regional examples. These include full or partial bans in Saudi Arabia (2025, later adjusted), United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Iraq, Algeria, and even temporary measures in Turkey and China.
Why Was Roblox Officially Blocked in Egypt?
The SCMR invoked Egypt’s 2018 Child Law. This law requires safeguards against harmful digital content. It also stresses preservation of societal values. Egypt restricts about 1,000 websites each year for similar issues, such as content inciting unsafe challenges. Key concerns are listed below:
- Exposure to inappropriate user-generated content. This includes violent themes or unsuitable avatars and attire in Roblox experiences.
- Vulnerabilities from text and voice chat features. These can lead to harassment, bullying, or exploitation by unknown individuals.
- Unregulated in-app purchases of virtual currency (Robux). This causes excessive spending among minors.
- Adverse psychological impacts. These include behavioral changes from prolonged engagement.
What is Roblox and How Popular Was It in Egypt?
Roblox Corporation started in 2006. It reports 85 million monthly active users and 111.8 million daily active users as of late 2025. About 40% are under age 13. The core group is 9-15 years old. Globally, it handles 6.1 billion daily chats. The platform’s creator economy supported 24,000+ developers earning via DevEx. In MENA, it generated $15 million in GDP impact. Egypt ranked top three in MENA by downloads, driven by mobile access among its 30 million+ youth internet users.
Safety measures include age verification, automated chat moderation, parental controls, and reporting systems. These handle over 1 million incidents each month. Still, critiques point out moderation challenges. U.S.-based lawsuits in 2024 raised child safety issues.
What is Roblox’s Official Response to the Egypt Ban?
Roblox has affirmed its dedication to user protection. The company initiated dialogue with Egyptian authorities for potential restoration of access. Roblox highlighted its safety commitments, especially after 2025 MENA chat suspensions. The platform asserts enhancements address prior criticisms.
How Does the Roblox Block Work and What Does It Target?
The restriction targets the Roblox website, mobile applications, and server connections. It applies to everyone in Egypt, regardless of age. It works at the ISP level. This prevents standard connectivity.
Who is Affected by the Roblox Ban in Egypt?
Estimates show 5-10 million users in Egypt before the block. This comes from regional data and SCMR reports on youth internet usage. Over 30 million young people use the internet there. This affects school programs, community events, and competitive gaming for students. It also impacts creators in the $15M MENA economy. Past reports mention technical problems in Egypt, like crashes and voice chat limits since 2023.
What Do Players and Users Say? Reactions to the Ban
Social media shows mixed reactions. On Facebook and Instagram, young users (ages 7-14) express frustration: “This ban hurts our childhood fun” or “Roblox isn’t that bad.” Parents debate addiction risks versus safe play. Some call it “stupid” while others support safety. No organized protests yet, but shares exceed 10K on key posts.
What Can Users Do Next and Are There Any Potential Solutions?
Users discuss virtual private networks (VPNs) or proxies online. However, these break Roblox terms of service. They may cause account suspensions. Egyptian rules also monitor such tools. Reversal is possible. Saudi Arabia reinstated partial access after Roblox made changes.
Watch SCMR and NTRA updates for news. Consider other platforms with strong parental controls as options.
Sources: Ahram Online, Anadolu Agency, Egypt Independent, Wikipedia Censorship of Roblox
