Russia has officially blocked access to the popular online gaming platform Roblox, according to announcements made by the country’s media regulator Roskomnadzor and reported by multiple international outlets.
The ban, confirmed on Wednesday, is the culmination of a growing crackdown by Russian authorities on what they describe as “inappropriate content” on the platform. In its statement, Roskomnadzor accused Roblox of allowing the dissemination of “extremist materials” and “LGBT-propaganda,” saying that the platform’s moderation systems failed to ensure the safety and well-being of its users — especially minors.
“Children in the game are exposed to sexual harassment, coerced into sharing intimate photos, and pushed toward lewd acts and violence,” the regulator said in its announcement, adding that Roblox was “popular among pedophiles” who allegedly used the platform to contact minors before initiating real-life contact.
The move is part of a broader pattern of restrictions on Western-based social and gaming platforms inside Russia. This year, Roskomnadzor has repeatedly flagged Roblox for hosting content it deems harmful to “the spiritual and moral development” of children.
For its part, Roblox has not publicly responded to the ban. The California-based company — which in Q3 2025 reported a global average of 151.5 million daily active users — has previously pointed to its robust moderation mechanisms, including AI tools, dedicated moderation teams, and cooperation with law-enforcement and child-safety experts.
In recent months, Roblox instituted new safety measures such as mandatory age checks and plans for facial-verification for access to chat features — yet those changes evidently proved insufficient under Russia’s tightening regulatory landscape.
The Russian ban reflects mounting tensions between global digital platforms and national regulators seeking tighter control over online content. For millions of young gamers and developers in Russia, the move abruptly ends access to a gaming universe that has served as both a playground and a creative outlet.
