KUCHING, Nov 1 — The government is weighing the possibility of banning online gaming platforms Roblox and UMI amid rising concerns over safety and content that could negatively influence young people, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
She noted that the matter is still under discussion, with any final decision to consider Australia’s upcoming regulations on Roblox, scheduled to take effect this December.
“We are closely monitoring how Australia implements these regulations. They are still in the planning stage, and nothing has been enforced yet.
“Malaysia will evaluate whether a similar approach aligns with our local context and cultural norms,” she told reporters after attending the Temporary Relief Centre Training and Simulation Programme here today.
She was asked to comment on an incident in which a six-year-old boy was critically injured after allegedly being slashed and stabbed with a sharp object by his nine-year-old brother in Kampung Parit Nipah, Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, on Monday.
Johor police chief Datuk Ab. Rahaman Arsad, speaking at a press conference three days ago, said the motive is still under investigation, adding that preliminary findings indicate that the attack occurred after the victim allegedly caused his brother to lose all the points he had accumulated playing the game.
Meanwhile, the Australian government is considering restrictions on Roblox for users aged 16 and under, amid concerns that the platform could have a negative influence and has been linked to several incidents that have attracted international attention.
Nancy stated that Australia’s policy rollout will be carefully monitored before any official decision is made regarding the app.
“Indeed, technological advances of this nature can impact such incidents. That is why we must proceed with caution and draw lessons from other countries before making any decisions,” she added. — Bernama