The Russian Roblox ban raises questions about online control
A Russian ban on the US gaming platform Roblox has sparked discussions among children and parents regarding censorship and the effectiveness of such bans in an age where children can easily circumvent restrictions with just a few clicks. On December 3, Russia’s communications watchdog Roskomnadzor announced that it had blocked access to Roblox, citing that the platform was “rife with inappropriate content,” spread extremist and LGBT propaganda, and was popular with paedophiles. In wartime Russia, censorship is pervasive as Moscow obstructs or limits access to social media platforms including Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube, while simultaneously promoting its own narrative through social media and Russian media outlets. However, the ban on Roblox has struck a chord, resulting in a modest rally in the Siberian city of Tomsk, where demonstrators displayed banners proclaiming “Hands off Roblox” and “Roblox is the victim of the digital Iron Curtain”.
A spokesperson for Roblox stated that the company was prepared “to temporarily limit communication features in Russia and to revise our content moderation processes to address the legal requirements necessary to restore our community’s access to the platform. Roblox intends to continue dialogue with Roskomnadzor as access to the platform is restored, including discussions around additional compliance measures that may be considered over time,” the spokesperson said. Roblox states on its website that it offers “rigorous built-in protections to help keep users safe” and aims to “create a secure, age-appropriate environment for every user.” Russian officials, in conflict with the West regarding the war in Ukraine, assert that censorship is essential to protect against a Western “information war” and what they describe as a decadent Western culture that threatens “traditional” Russian values.
For numerous young Russians, Roblox served as a portal to an expansive universe of games and the possibility of friendships with people worldwide. The Kremlin has stated, without elaboration, that it has received letters regarding the Roblox ban from numerous young individuals. “I don’t consider it’s worth blocking Roblox,” 14-year-old Polina Gerina stated in Moscow. “It was an immensely enjoyable experience.” Darya, aged 11, and her seven-year-old sister Yekaterina, both shared that they engaged in play on the Roblox platform. “I think children will still find a way around,” Darya Gerina stated. “There have been blocks on other apps, and we have found a way around to use them, so I think children will find a way around and continue playing.”
A significant number of Russians utilize VPNs to circumvent digital censorship. Hundreds of VPNs have been banned this year, yet new ones continue to emerge. This situation has led some young Russians to question the rationale behind the authorities’ decisions to ban apps or sites that remain easily accessible, as well as the scarcity of Russian alternatives available to them. Some advocates for stringent restrictions on children’s online access express apprehensions regarding the security of VPNs and the consequences of widespread evasion of governmental regulations. “How many children have downloaded a three-letter app (geocoding system) in the last few days following the game’s ban?” inquired Yekaterina Mizulina, director of the Safe Internet League censorship organisation. Mizulina, facing sanctions from the European Union for her role in enforcing Russian censorship, remarked that some young individuals expressed a desire to leave Russia due to the ban on Roblox. Maria Gerina, whose three daughters engaged with the Roblox platform, expressed that she does not support a ban but seeks assurances regarding the monitoring of applications for inappropriate content and contacts, emphasizing the need for alternatives. “If it will be controlled somehow and people will follow what is going on especially, then I would feel calmer as a mother when my children are playing,” she said. “However, I do not believe that a complete ban will solve the issue – if Roblox is eliminated, then another alternative will emerge.”
