Post by : Saif Nasser
In a rare public display of dissent, several dozen people protested in the Siberian city of Tomsk on Sunday against Russia’s recent ban on the popular U.S. children’s gaming platform Roblox. The protest highlights growing irritation over internet censorship and government control of digital platforms in Russia.
The demonstration took place in Vladimir Vysotsky Park, where participants braved the snow holding hand-drawn placards that read "Hands off Roblox" and "Roblox is the victim of the digital Iron Curtain." Photographs from the protest show about 25 people standing in a circle, making their concerns visible despite the harsh weather.
Russia’s communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, blocked Roblox on December 3, claiming the platform contained “inappropriate content that can negatively impact the spiritual and moral development of children.” The ban is part of a broader effort by the Russian government to control information, as social media platforms such as Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube are already restricted.
The Roblox ban has sparked debate across Russia over the balance between child safety, censorship, and the effectiveness of such measures in a digital world. Many Russians use VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to bypass restrictions, making some question the logic of the ban. Others have highlighted the lack of Russian alternatives to the blocked platforms, leaving children with fewer safe online options.
Some parents and teachers have expressed concern that Roblox could expose children to sexual content or allow communication with adults, a reason cited by Russia and other countries such as Iraq and Turkey for banning the platform. Roblox, headquartered in San Mateo, California, has stated that it maintains a “deep commitment to safety” with built-in protections to help keep users secure.
Russian authorities argue that censorship is necessary to defend the country against what they describe as an “information war” from Western powers and to protect traditional Russian values. Critics, however, see this as an overreach that restricts freedom of expression and limits digital access for children.
The protest in Tomsk is unusual in wartime Russia, where public demonstrations against government policy are rare. It signals a growing frustration among some citizens with strict online controls and may be the start of more public debate over digital freedoms in the country.
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