Russia has officially blocked access to Roblox nationwide, after regulators declared the platform unsafe for children. The country’s media watchdog — citing “extremist content,” violent and terrorist-themed materials, as well as LGBTQ-related content now banned under Russian law — said Roblox repeatedly failed to remove these reportedly harmful materials. Starting December 3, players across Russia found the game unreachable, with thousands reporting connection failures within hours.
The crackdown comes after several prior warnings and removal requests from authorities. According to the regulator, Roblox was home to simulations of violent acts and “games” that urged or glorified criminal behavior, plus chat rooms allegedly used for harassment of minors. Despite Roblox’s moderation efforts and its public commitment to child safety, including automated filters and content review teams, regulators judged that the platform’s safeguards were insufficient.
The decision hits both ordinary players and thousands of Russian-based developers. For many children and teens, Roblox has been more than a game — a space for socializing, creativity, and shared experiences. For local creators, it’s been a source of income and international community. With the block, all those connections are suddenly severed. Developers warn that their games, many of them globally popular, are now cut off from a large user segment indefinitely.
Internationally, the ban is part of a broader wave of tightening internet controls in Russia. In recent months, several Western-developed apps and services have faced restrictions under new laws targeting “undesirable” content. Industry analysts note that this move is likely aimed not only at content regulation, but also at reducing foreign influence over youth, pushing usage toward domestic alternatives under stricter government oversight.
For now, there’s no official roadmap for restoring Roblox in Russia or for how developers might adapt. Many hope the block is temporary — a response to perceived moderation failures rather than a permanent exile. Others warn this could mark the beginning of deeper isolation, where global platforms lose access to entire national communities. Until things change, millions of young Russian players will need to find other worlds to build and explore.
