Philippines warns Roblox over child safety concerns, possible ban

Technology | System Posted on 2026-04-01 07:09:56

MANILA — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) warned that Roblox could face suspension or a ban in the Philippines if it fails to address child safety concerns and engage directly with regulators.

The warning followed a multi-stakeholder consultation held under the directive of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to strengthen online protection for minors. Officials raised concerns about risks such as exposure to violent content, online grooming, and harmful private interactions that may start on the gaming platform and move to external messaging apps.

Wilson Asueta of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group said authorities have already handled cases involving children whose interactions in the game escalated into dangerous situations. He emphasized that conversations often migrate to private channels, making monitoring more difficult.

Meanwhile, Angelo Tapales of the Council for the Welfare of Children cited data showing that a large percentage of Filipino youth aged 12 to 17 are active online, increasing potential exposure to risks if platforms lack adequate safeguards.

Officials proposed measures such as improved age-based restrictions, context-based filtering tools, and stronger intelligence-sharing with Philippine authorities. They also urged the company to establish a direct presence in the country to improve reporting mechanisms and law enforcement coordination.

Renato Paraiso of the CICC said the platform’s future in the Philippines may depend on its response ahead of a scheduled April meeting. Authorities noted that failure to cooperate could lead to enforcement actions, including a possible suspension or ban.

NPO News Team l ABS CBN - PR

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