Senate Probe Targets Roblox Ban, Pushes Child-Safety Regulation

Philippines Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed Senate Resolution No. 357 to address the looming Roblox ban. The goal is a Senate probe, not an outright Roblox ban, to build enforceable regulation for online gaming platforms. On March 23, the resolution directs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality to investigate how multiplayer virtual environments affect child safety. Hontiveros argues that focusing only on Roblox misses a broader industry problem: major platforms such as Minecraft, Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Free Fire also enable real-time communication, often using weak age verification. Key points in the proposed framework include stronger age assurance beyond self-declared ages, tighter safeguards against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), and protections against violent content and grooming risks. The senator also cited concerns that predators can use in-game chats to build trust before moving conversations to private, encrypted channels. Hontiveros said the government should pursue safe integration of these services, balancing child protection, digital innovation, and user privacy with risk-based measures rather than digital isolation. She also urged digital literacy and responsible gaming education, citing mental health concerns from excessive gaming. The legislative push comes as the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has set a one-month deadline for Roblox to address issues, or face a nationwide restriction including possible delisting from the Apple App Store and Google Play in the Philippines.