Name: Russians facing Roblox ban question censorship of popular games
Uploaded: 2025-12-18T18:38:57.435Z
Duration: 3 min 29 s
Description: A Russian ban on U.S. gaming platform Roblox has fueled debate among some children and parents about censorship and the utility of bans in a world where children can bypass limits with a few clicks.

A Russian ban on U.S. gaming platform Roblox has fueled debate among some children and parents about censorship and the utility of bans in a world where children can bypass limits with a few clicks.

Moscow

The Russian government has blocked access to the U.S.-based gaming platform Roblox, citing concerns over inappropriate content, extremist propaganda, and child safety. This move has prompted discussions among Russian families, lawmakers, and game developers about the effectiveness of such bans and the broader issue of digital censorship.

While some officials support the ban as a protective measure, many Russian children and parents question its utility, noting that VPNs and other workarounds remain widely used. Protests have emerged in response to the ban, and critics argue that responsibility for online safety should also involve parental controls rather than outright restrictions.

Russians facing Roblox ban question censorship of popular games

A ban on U.S. gaming platform Roblox here in Russia has fueled debate among some children and their parents about censorship and the utility of bans in a world where players can bypass limits with a few clicks. Polina Gerina is a 14-year-old in Moscow and an avid user. I don't exactly remember when I started playing Roblox, but I was very small. My sister and I started playing together. Her 11-year-old sister Daria is similarly enthusiastic. It is a large space where you can express yourself. We choose how to play and what to play. In this game, you can create your own hero and decide what they look like. Roblox is about absolute freedom. Russia's communications watchdog said on December 3rd it had blocked access to Roblox, saying it was, quote, rife with inappropriate content, spread extremist and LGBT propaganda, and was popular with pedophiles. In an email to Reuters, a Roblox spokesperson said the company was ready, quote, to temporarily limit communication features in Russia and to revise our content moderation processes. The company said it strives, quote, to create a secure, age-appropriate environment for every user. Russian officials, at odds with the West over the war in Ukraine, say censorship is needed to defend against a Western, quote, information war. Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube are all blocked or restricted. Nina Ostantina is a lawmaker in Russia's lower house of parliament who supports the Roblox ban. By using negative content, they try to involve children in these activities. I do not see any other purpose. Otherwise, the producers of this game would not be interested in it. But the ban on Roblox has hit a nerve, leading to a small rally in the Siberian city of Tomsk, at which protesters held banners reading, hands off Roblox, and Roblox is the victim of the digital Iron Curtain. Polina Andarya's mother, Maria Gerina, is a school art teacher and has a mixed view of the games her children find on Roblox. She says she likes that they connect with friends and play, but finds some of the games too violent. But I do not think a full ban will solve the problem. If there is no Roblox, then there will be something else. Many Russians use virtual private networks, or VPNs, to get around digital censorship. Hundreds of VPNs have been banned this year, but new ones appear, prompting some young Russians to ask why authorities ban apps or sites that can be easily accessed, and why there are few Russian alternatives to them. Konstantin Sakhnov is a game developer and says Roblox has about two million active daily users in Russia alone. It is very important to remember that Roblox has parental controls, so it is possible to shift responsibility from Roblox to parents, where it belongs. Every parent must customize these controls for their child. In this context, it's sad that Roblox is banned because there are no direct alternatives. Eleven-year-old Daria told Reuters, quote, I think children will still find a way around. There have been blocks on other apps, and we've found ways to bypass them. So I think nothing will change. We, children, will find a way and continue playing.

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