In Indonesia, parents and government officials are worried about the platform's potential to expose children to violent or explicit content and risky online interactions.

Originally perceived as a platform for children, Roblox has evolved. Its unique, often addictive, gameplay and social features now attract users of all ages. According to data from Statista, a Germany-based online statistics firm, Roblox had over 111 million daily active users worldwide in the second quarter of this year—a 41 percent increase from the previous year.

While users aged 13 and under were once the majority, the platform’s older demographic has grown over time. In the second quarter of this year, there were 71 million users aged 13 and above, compared to about 40 million younger gamers.

Roblox's appeal lies in its multiplayer gaming universe, which is not a single game but a platform for thousands of mini-games created by its users. The games cover a wide range of genres, from raising virtual pets and solving mysteries to combat-style arenas. Many of the most popular games, such as the town simulation Brookhaven and the virtual pet adoption game Adopt Me!, are role-playing games that combine social interaction with open-world gameplay.

The platform has recently gained traction among children and teenagers in the country, and the government's response, as with many potentially harmful digital services, has been to consider a blanket ban.

Elementary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti labeled Roblox harmful to children, warning that its violent gameplay could trigger real-life violence. State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi echoed this sentiment, stating that the government "would not hesitate" to block digital games with violent elements if necessary. Many Indonesian parents have voiced strong support for a ban.

However, a complete ban may not be effective. As technology evolves, other immersive games with voice and text chat features, such as Minecraft, have also raised similar concerns about children being contacted by strangers. A ban would also deny children the opportunity to explore virtual worlds and socialize.

While Roblox has its own rules and systems for moderation and parental control, some argue that these measures are not enough. The platform has been accused of prioritizing user growth, revenue and profit over child safety, and adults can still easily interact with children without proper parental guidance.

Recognizing the need for a balanced approach, Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid recently met with Roblox Asia Pacific representatives. She asked them to restrict communication between children, moderate explicit user-generated content and improve the platform's parental control system.

Efforts to make the virtual world a safer place for children, whether by the government, the platforms or parents, must balance freedom and protection. Roblox can also be a valuable learning tool. Some online extracurricular programs use it to teach children programming, coding and game design. Like other popular games, Roblox requires teamwork and communication, helping children develop social skills, learn to collaborate and build a sense of community.

Ultimately, it is a parent's responsibility to supervise their children's online activities. Parents need to set a family rule that outlines how much time their children can spend gaming each day or week, not only to teach them about discipline but also to prevent them from addiction.

To better protect their children, parents should understand what Roblox is, how to use its safety features and guide their children in the digital universe to ensure it remains a safe place to learn and interact.