In the UAE, experts are urging parents to ensure their children’s safety while playing online games like Roblox by dedicating “just 10 minutes” to enhance platform security. Many advocate for time limits and additional protective measures to keep young gamers safe.
A Kaspersky spokesperson highlighted, “In-game chats and forums expose kids to various threats,” with cyberbullying and harassment being major concerns. Children might face offensive behavior and verbal abuse, and encounter inappropriate content, including violence or age-inappropriate material in games or forums.
Recently, Kuwait temporarily banned Roblox, joining countries like Qatar, Oman, China, and Turkey in regulating the platform due to safety concerns for children. The move followed the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority’s assessment of the platform’s content as dangerous.
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Laura Tristram, Co-Founder of AI wellbeing platform Lumii.me, asserted that enhancing online gaming safety takes “just ten minutes.” She recommended using child accounts, setting age filters, securing spending with a PIN, enabling friends-only chat, and activating two-factor authentication. “Conceal real names and photos and choose a neutral gamertag. It’s about safety, not secrecy,” she said.
Gaming Risks
Dr. Shaju George, Specialist Psychiatrist at International Modern Hospital Dubai, noted the rising recognition of gaming addiction as a mental health issue. “Symptoms include gaming preoccupation, withdrawal, and neglected responsibilities,” he explained, referencing extreme cases like skipping school and poor hygiene among children playing Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite.
Laura emphasized that the greatest risk isn’t the games themselves but who can reach children through them. “Kids might receive random messages, join voice chats, or feel pressured to access private servers,” she explained. “Grooming follows a pattern—flattery, secrecy, shifting to private apps, then photo requests. Teach children to trust their instincts if something feels wrong.”
Last week, Louisiana sued Roblox, alleging the platform fosters an environment conducive to sexual predators, calling it a “perfect place for pedophiles.”
Cybersecurity poses another risk in online gaming. Kaspersky’s recent findings revealed over 19 million attack attempts exploiting popular Gen Z game names between April 2024 and March 2025, targeting more than 400,000 users.
“In March 2025 alone, attackers attempted nearly 1.8 million attacks, showing how gaming trends are leveraged to reach young users,” noted the spokesperson.
Warning Signs
Laura identified several warning signs parents should monitor. “Be cautious of ‘older friends’ offering gifts, seeking secrets, or encouraging off-platform chats,” she advised. “Unexplained charges, VPN apps, or excuses like ‘my account was stolen’ signal it’s time to review security and spending habits. Late-night secrecy and declining grades aren’t just phases—they indicate your child needs support.”
She also suggested establishing simple routines—homework before gaming, no gaming after bedtime, and screen-free family time. “Create a one-page family gaming plan outlining acceptable behaviors and enforceable consequences,” she recommended.
Dr. Shaju stressed the importance of open discussions about online risks and involving children in privacy rule-setting to build trust. “Discuss scams, digital privacy, and the real-world value of virtual currencies,” he advised. “Utilize moderation tools and reporting systems.”
He warned parents to watch for signs like increased gaming at the expense of school, hygiene, or social life, emotional distress when not gaming, secrecy about gaming habits, and withdrawal from social activities.
