The Philippine government will not ban Roblox, but will instead push for stronger safeguards to protect children amid rising concerns over online abuse and exploitation.
In a meeting on April 7 involving the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), Roblox representatives, law enforcement, and private sector stakeholders, officials clarified that the platform will remain accessible in the country.
The move follows earlier warnings from authorities that Roblox could face a nationwide ban over alleged misuse of the platform for illegal activities involving minors, including online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), grooming, and other cybercrimes.
Officials said the focus has shifted to strengthening platform-level protections and enforcement instead of imposing an outright ban, in line with the directive of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to enhance digital safety for Filipino youth.
Roblox outlined a set of tighter safeguards, including stricter monitoring systems, improved reporting mechanisms, and stronger controls to ensure age-appropriate content.
The company is also set to launch an information campaign on April 12 to guide parents on using these safety features.
Authorities emphasized that digital safety is a shared responsibility among platforms, government, and families, urging parents to actively use parental controls such as screen time monitoring, purchase restrictions, and content filtering.
The clarification comes after the CICC deferred its earlier decision on a possible ban to allow further coordination with Roblox and assess whether adequate safety measures are in place. The platform had previously been given a 30-day ultimatum to address reported risks.
Telecommunications firms, including Globe Telecom, earlier said they are prepared to comply with any government directive, including blocking access if ordered by regulators.
Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros has called for a Senate inquiry into online gaming platforms, citing the need to review safeguards for minors and determine whether additional regulations are required.
“Effective regulation of online platforms must balance child protection,” Hontiveros said.
