Indian Court Seeks Government Response on Banning Minors from Roblox

India's Allahabad High Court has issued notices to the Union government and other authorities in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to ban minors from accessing online gaming platforms, including Roblox. The court has ordered the respondents to submit their replies by the next hearing.

The PIL, filed by petitioner Rani Singh, requests a court order directing government bodies, such as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), to prohibit minors from accessing Roblox and similar platforms. The petition cites concerns including exposure to sexual grooming, violent content, psychological harm, and financial exploitation, listing games like PUBG, Free Fire MAX, Grand Theft Auto, Battlefield, Fortnite, and "Manhunt" as comparable examples.

Arguments presented in the petition state that these platforms facilitate real-time social interaction and virtual currency transactions without effective age verification or parental consent, potentially violating India's child protection laws. Beyond access restrictions, the petition also calls for awareness campaigns in schools and the establishment of an expert committee to assess risks and propose safeguards.

Roblox has faced increasing global scrutiny over its child safety practices, with lawsuits filed in the United States alleging failures to protect children. This Indian legal action coincides with India's new online gaming regulatory framework, which came into effect in May 2026, but specifically targets judicial intervention for child safety on gaming platforms.