Russia bans Roblox over ‘LGBT propaganda’ and ‘extremist’ content | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessCreatorsMobilePolicySecurityTransportationReviewsExpandLaptopsPhonesHeadphonesTabletsSmart HomeSmartwatchesSpeakersDronesScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthEntertainmentExpandGamesTV ShowsMoviesAudioAIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee All ShoppingCarsExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersOther TransportationFeaturesVideosExpandYouTubeTikTokInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Russia bans Roblox over ‘LGBT propaganda’ and ‘extremist’ contentComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsEntertainmentCloseEntertainmentPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All EntertainmentGamingCloseGamingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GamingRussia bans Roblox over ‘LGBT propaganda’ and ‘extremist’ contentThe country’s communications regulator claims Roblox ‘may negatively impact the spiritual and moral development of children.’The country’s communications regulator claims Roblox ‘may negatively impact the spiritual and moral development of children.’by Emma RothCloseEmma RothNews WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Emma RothDec 4, 2025, 2:41 PM UTCLinkShareIllustration: The VergeEmma RothCloseEmma RothPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Emma Roth is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.Russia is restricting access to Roblox after the country’s communications regulator Roskomnadzor accused it of promoting extremism and “LGBT propaganda,” according to reports from Reuters and Meduza.As reported by Meduza, Russian lawmakers began raising concerns about Roblox days after The Guardian published a report about the platform last month, detailing how the author was able to access content that might not be appropriate for kids with parental controls enabled.The communications agency said that content on Roblox “may negatively affect the spiritual and moral development of children,” Meduza reports. “Children in the game are exposed to sexual harassment, coerced into sharing intimate photos, and pushed toward lewd acts and violence.” In addition to new restrictions on FaceTime and WhatsApp, Russia has banned platforms like Discord, Facebook, and Instagram in the past, while limiting access to YouTube.Roblox is also blocked in Turkey, Qatar, Oman, and Jordan, while Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have restricted access to in-game chats. In the US, Roblox is also facing growing scrutiny surrounding child safety, with Texas suing the platform over claims it’s “putting pixel pedophiles and profits over the safety of Texas children.” Louisiana filed a similar lawsuit in August.Roblox has since announced that it’s locking down access to sexual content and will soon require users to go through an age estimation process in order to chat on the platform. “We respect the local laws and regulations in the countries where we operate and believe Roblox provides a positive space for learning, creation and meaningful connection for everyone,” a Roblox spokesperson tells Reuters. Roblox didn’t immediately respond to The Verge’s request for comment.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Emma RothCloseEmma RothNews WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Emma RothEntertainmentCloseEntertainmentPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All EntertainmentGamingCloseGamingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GamingNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsPolicyClosePolicyPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All PolicyMost PopularMost PopularCrucial is shutting down — because Micron wants to sell its RAM and SSDs to AI companies insteadSteam Machine today, Steam Phones tomorrowApple’s head of UI design is leaving for MetaAntigravity’s 360-degree drone is here to help you forget DJIElon Musk is on a racist posting spree againThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Russia has taken the measure to restrict access to Roblox, a decision driven by concerns raised by the country’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor. The regulator’s core argument centers on the platform’s potential negative impact on the “spiritual and moral development of children.” Specifically, they cite reports of exposure to “sexual harassment, coerced into sharing intimate photos, and pushed toward lewd acts and violence” within the game’s environment. The Communications agency’s actions follow similar restrictions placed on other platforms, including FaceTime and WhatsApp, and represent a widening pattern of governmental control over online content within Russia.

The shift in regulation was triggered, in part, by a Guardian article detailing the ability of an author to access content deemed inappropriate for children through parental controls. This prompted a review by Roskomnadzor, leading to the subsequent ban. The move underlines a broader trend of state intervention in the digital landscape—a strategy observed across multiple nations—with concerns about child safety being a primary catalyst.

Beyond the immediate objections regarding content quality, the restrictions highlight a deeper strategic element. Russia’s actions mirror those taken against other pervasive social media platforms, demonstrating a concerted effort to limit access to information and communication avenues that the government views as potentially destabilizing. The imposition of restrictions on Roblox adds to the existing blockade of platforms like Discord, Facebook, and Instagram, further consolidating governmental control over digital spaces within the country.

Roblox has responded to the situation, stating their respect for local laws and regulations and emphasizing the platform’s purpose as a “positive space for learning, creation, and meaningful connection.” However, the company’s reaction also demonstrates an acknowledgement of the complexities involved in operating within differing legal and regulatory environments. The company has announced plans for enhanced content security, including a mandatory age estimation process to control access to chat features.

The situation is not isolated. Globally, there's a growing trend of countries implementing measures to regulate online content, often with a focus on protecting minors. Russia’s actions with Roblox are indicative of this larger trend, adding to the scrutiny being applied to platforms worldwide.

Furthermore, the restrictions on Roblox echo similar measures being taken against other platforms, mirroring concerns about child safety and the potential for exposure to inappropriate content. The ban on Roblox extends to other nations including Turkey, Qatar, Oman, and Jordan, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, highlighting the widespread concerns associated with online safety. The situation in the US is also receiving attention, with lawsuits filed by Texas and Louisiana alleging that Roblox’s operations are prioritizing profits over the safety of children.

The regulatory landscape surrounding online platforms is constantly evolving, and the Roblox case represents a significant development in this ongoing dynamic. The broader implications extend beyond the immediate restrictions, raising questions about censorship, freedom of expression, and the role of technology companies in safeguarding users, particularly children, within a globalized digital environment.