Roblox under scrutiny in Malaysia, vows to improve monitoring

Roblox has pledged to strengthen safety measures for its young users in Malaysia following heightened scrutiny from government officials over concerns about the impact of online gaming on children. The platform’s commitment comes in the wake of a troubling incident in Johor and amid ongoing discussions about potential restrictions or bans.

“As the Minister of Youth and Sports and also a mother, I am worried when I see how certain online games can affect children’s behaviour and emotions,” Hannah Yeoh wrote on Facebook. She highlighted that Roblox now counts over 100 million users globally, including more than one million in Malaysia, emphasising that the responsibility to protect young users cannot be taken lightly.

Yeoh said she had raised these concerns directly with Roblox, which assured her that it would enhance safety through a combination of AI monitoring and human oversight. The platform also expressed willingness to cooperate with the Malaysian government on data-sharing and compliance with local regulations. “We want the digital world to be not only fun but also to build the right character and values for the next generation,” Yeoh added.

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The minister’s statement comes after a six-year-old boy in Kampung Parit Nipah, Johor, was slashed by his nine-year-old brother on October 27. Police revealed that the older boy became upset after his Roblox game was interrupted, causing him to lose points he had accumulated. Johor police chief Ab. Rahaman Arsad said that while investigations are ongoing, preliminary findings indicate the boy had been playing Roblox excessively. During questioning, he claimed to have experienced hallucinations that instructed him to harm his family members.

The incident has prompted broader discussions about gaming safety and regulation. Women, family and community development minister Nancy Shukri told reporters that the government is considering whether to restrict or ban Roblox and another platform, UMI. As reported by Bernama, she said Malaysia will closely monitor Australia’s regulatory rollout for Roblox, scheduled for December, before making any decision locally, ensuring that any measures are aligned with Malaysia’s cultural and social context.

After findings from the case was revealed, it intensified calls for stronger parental supervision and platform accountability, reflecting growing pressure on online gaming platforms to protect children in Malaysia and beyond. 

Earlier in September, Roblox pledged to work with Indonesia’s Game Rating System (IGRS) to review and adjust its classifications after government officials warned the platform could be blocked over violent content. The statement was conveyed in an official letter to the ministry of communication and digital (Komdigi). IGRS, overseen by Komdigi, categorises interactive electronic games by content type and age appropriateness.

Beyond regulatory alignment, Roblox’s letter also outlined plans to share findings from an economic impact study, highlighting the platform’s contribution to the growth of local developers in Indonesia. The Indonesian government has maintained a firm stance on digital safety, stressing that the country should not only be a user market but also a hub for digital talent and a safe, inclusive online space.

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