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The looming threat of a nationwide restriction on the popular gaming platform Roblox has sparked a counter-dialogue from an unexpected demographic: the young Filipino creators who use the platform to design, learn, and earn.
Following the recent 30-day ultimatum issued by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) over severe child safety and exploitation concerns, local players are voicing their fears that a blanket ban will ultimately punish innocent users.
The Creator’s Perspective
In a message sent to BitPinas, John Carlos Go, a Filipino Roblox player and creator, articulated the growing sentiment among the platform’s youth community. While explicitly acknowledging the gravity of the government’s concerns, he argued that an outright ban would strip away significant opportunities.
“I understand the serious concerns about child safety on Roblox, including the presence of predators and inappropriate interactions. I fully support efforts to protect children and remove harmful users from the platform,” Go wrote. “However, banning Roblox in the Philippines is not the solution.”
Go’s message is just one of the hundreds received by BitPinas either via private message or through the website’s comment section on Facebook.
For many young Filipinos, Roblox has evolved from a simple pastime into a robust digital economy and an introductory platform for game development.
“For many of us, Roblox is more than just a game. It is a platform where we create, learn, and earn,” he explained, noting that he has spent years developing his skills in clothing design on the platform. “Many others use Roblox for commissions, game development, and creative opportunities.”
Earning and Learning
The DICT and CICC’s primary focus has been on the platform’s systemic moderation failures that allow bad actors to exploit minors. However, advocates for the platform point out that it also serves as an accessible entry point into the creator economy.
Go highlighted that there are legitimate, skill-based methods for young creators to monetize their time without spending real money, such as creating in-game items (gamepasses), designing virtual clothing, and participating in legitimate donation systems.
Furthermore, he emphasized the platform’s often-overlooked educational utility. “There are games that support learning in subjects like math, reading, and problem-solving. With proper guidance, it can become a tool for education rather than distraction,” he noted.
A Call for Regulation, Not Restriction
Echoing the sentiments of digital advocacy groups who recently called for stricter accountability rather than censorship, Go urged the government to focus on regulatory reform.
Instead of a ban, the young creator strongly encouraged Philippine authorities to cooperate directly with Roblox Corporation to achieve the following:
- Improve moderation and actively remove predators.
- Strengthen the platform’s safety systems and reporting tools.
- Promote digital literacy campaigns for both students and parents.
- Encourage controlled and supervised use, especially for younger demographics.
“Banning the platform would not only remove risks, but also remove opportunities, creativity, and motivation for many innocent players and creators,” Go concluded. “Please consider improving and regulating Roblox, not removing it entirely.”
This article is published on BitPinas: Roblox Players Appeal As DICT Gives Game 30 Days Before Blanket Ban
Disclosure: AI has been used to assist in writing this story.
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