Stock Markets February 4, 2026

Egypt moves to block Roblox platform in child protection drive

Supreme Council for Media Regulation to coordinate with telecom authority as lawmakers and cabinet pursue measures on online safety

By Marcus Reed RBLX
Egypt moves to block Roblox platform in child protection drive
RBLX

Egypt's Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) has announced plans to ban access to the Roblox gaming platform, coordinating the move with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) as part of a broader government push to shield children from harmful online material. The action follows recent cabinet discussions and signals that lawmakers plan to examine legislation governing children's use of social media and gaming services.

Key Points

  • SCMR will implement a ban on the Roblox platform in coordination with the NTRA as part of government efforts to regulate digital platforms and protect children.
  • The cabinet recently discussed measures to shield minors from harmful content on social media and online gaming platforms.
  • The House of Representatives has announced plans to examine potential legislation addressing children’s use of social media, signaling a coordinated regulatory and legislative approach.

Summary

Egyptian regulators have initiated steps to prohibit access to the Roblox gaming platform as part of an official effort focused on protecting minors from potentially harmful content online. The Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) said it will carry out the ban in coordination with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA), framing the move as part of a wider regulatory agenda for digital platforms.


Regulatory action and coordination

The SCMR announced the forthcoming measure on Wednesday, indicating the ban will be enacted in cooperation with the NTRA. The council characterized the action as consistent with government efforts to extend oversight of digital services and shield children from inappropriate or dangerous material hosted on social media sites and online gaming platforms.

Officials described the decision as a step within a broader push to regulate digital platforms, rather than an isolated intervention aimed exclusively at a single service.


Political developments

The move comes after a recent cabinet discussion held on Monday that focused on safeguarding children from harmful content across social media and online gaming. In parallel, the House of Representatives announced days earlier that it intends to examine potential legislation to regulate children’s use of social media platforms.

Those parliamentary and executive actions together point to a coordinated policy focus that includes regulatory enforcement as well as possible new laws to govern online spaces used by minors.


Context and scope

Egypt would join a number of other countries, many within the Arab world, that have previously blocked or restricted access to Roblox. The SCMR framed the measure squarely within its mandate to regulate media and online content. Details on timing, technical enforcement and the final legal form of any restrictions were not specified in the statements referenced by the council.


Implications

The announced ban and the surrounding legislative interest underscore increased regulatory scrutiny of digital platforms, with direct implications for online gaming services, social media operators and telecommunications regulators responsible for enforcing access controls.

Risks

  • Timing and scope of the ban are unclear, creating uncertainty for operators and users of affected digital platforms.
  • Legislative examination by the House of Representatives could result in new regulations with undetermined terms and enforcement mechanisms.
  • Coordination between the SCMR and the NTRA may present operational and enforcement challenges as authorities move to implement access restrictions.

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