The Malaysian government is weighing the possibility of restricting or banning the popular online game Roblox, following growing public concern about its potential impact on children’s behaviour.
Image credit: ByNoGame
Malaysia to observe Australia’s approach
Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the discussions are ongoing, with no final decision reached yet. She explained that Malaysia will observe how Australia enforces its new Roblox regulations, which are expected to take effect in December before determining the next step.
“We are keeping a close watch on Australia’s implementation of these regulations, which are still in the planning stage and have yet to be enforced,” she mentioned.
She further stated that Malaysia will assess if adopting a similar approach would suit the local context and cultural value.
Violent incident in Johor last month points to obsessive gaming
The debate intensified after a violent case in Batu Pahat late last month, allegedly linked to Roblox. On Oct 27, a nine-year-old boy reportedly attacked his six-year-old brother after playing the game obsessively. Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the initial findings indicated the suspect had been heavily engaged in Roblox before the incident.
Image credit: Hajah Nancy Haji Shukri (Facebook)
“Preliminary findings suggest the injuries were caused by the older sibling. He had been playing Roblox excessively on his mobile device,” Rahaman said.
Investigations revealed that the boy had accumulated nearly one million points in the game but became upset after his younger brother accidentally damaged his phone, causing the loss of his progress. The child later claimed he experienced hallucinations instructing him to harm his family members. The parents, both in their 40s, were remanded for two days to assist police.
Image credit: Canva
Global scrutiny over game safety
The Roblox case in Malaysia mirrors a broader global conversation about children’s online safety. Many countries, including Australia, are reviewing how such platforms expose minors to violent or harmful content.
In response, Australia is preparing to impose restrictions on Roblox for users aged 16 and below, amid concerns about safety and inappropriate content exposure. Nancy said Malaysia will take a cautious approach before introducing any policies.
“Such incidents could stem from rapid technological advances. Hence, we need to move forward cautiously and draw lessons from other countries before making any decisions,” she said.
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