The Malaysian government is weighing the possibility of banning the popular online gaming platform Roblox, following a recent incident in Johor involving two young siblings that has raised national concern.

According to Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri, the move is currently under discussion as authorities assess the potential risks of the platform to children.

Her comments came after a six-year-old boy was critically injured, allegedly slashed and stabbed with a sharp object by his nine-year-old brother. Preliminary police investigations suggested the attack occurred after the older sibling became enraged when the younger brother accidentally caused him to lose accumulated points in the game.

Nancy said Malaysia is closely observing Australia’s approach to online safety regulations before making a final decision.

“We are closely monitoring how Australia implements these regulations. They are still in the planning stage, and nothing has been enforced yet. Malaysia will evaluate whether a similar approach aligns with our local context and cultural norms,” she told reporters.

Australia’s upcoming social media ban law, set to take effect in December 2025, will prohibit children under 16 from using social media platforms. Roblox, which has faced scrutiny in Australia for allegedly exposing children to sexual predators, violent ideologies, pornography, and self-harm content, is currently seeking an exemption from the law.

Meanwhile, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that his ministry had met with Roblox representatives following the Johor incident. He revealed that the government is studying the need to license or regulate certain online games, including Roblox, to ensure they are safe for younger users.

“We will determine the most appropriate and effective regulatory framework. Give us some time before an official announcement is made, but what’s certain is that we cannot afford to remain idle,” Fahmi said, as quoted by Bernama.

He also shared his personal stance as a parent, saying,

“I have personally banned my children from playing Roblox and deleted the app from all devices at home. However, the government has yet to make an official decision on the matter. I urge parents to monitor their children’s online activities closely.”

The proposed move has sparked public debate on digital safety, parental responsibility, and the psychological impact of online gaming on children. While some support a potential ban to protect minors, others argue for stricter parental supervision and better education on safe internet usage instead of outright prohibition.


Source / Image Credit : FMT, Mothership