How UAE Parents Need 'Just 10 Minutes' To Make Roblox, Other Games Safer

Experts in the UAE are cautioning parents to be careful when their children play online games like Roblox , asking them to take“just 10 minutes” to make these platforms safer. Many are calling for enforcement of time limits and added layers of protection to ensure that young gamers remain safe.

“Through in-game chats and forums, kids are exposed to a wide range of threats,” said a spokesperson for cybersecurity company Kaspersky. The main dangers include cyberbullying and harassment, where children may encounter offensive behavior and verbal abuse. Children can also be exposed to inappropriate content, including violent, graphic, or age-inappropriate material shared within games or forums.”

Last week, Kuwait joined a list of other countries in banning Roblox. The country's Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority stated that the temporary ban was enforced after deeming its contents too dangerous for children's safety. In recent times, Qatar, Oman, China and Turkey have also regulated the online gaming platform.

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According to Laura Tristram, Co-Founder of AI wellbeing and mental health support platform Lumii, it took“just ten minutes” to make online games safer.“Switch to a child account, add age filter, install a PIN on spending, have friends‐only chat, and activate 2 factor authentication,” she said.“Hide real names and photos and pick a neutral gamertag. That's safety, not secrecy.”

Gaming addiction is increasingly being recognised as a real mental health issue, said Dr Shaju George, Specialist Psychiatrist at International Modern Hospital Dubai.“Symptoms include preoccupation with gaming, withdrawal symptoms, and neglect of responsibilities,” he said.“There are reports of extreme cases among children such as skipping school, deteriorating hygiene, and obsessive behaviour around online games like Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite.

According to Laura, the biggest risk isn't the online games itself; it is who could reach children through it.“They can get random direct messages, open voice chat, and feel pressure to join the private server of other players,” she said.“Grooming follows a script - flattery, secrecy, moving to private apps, then asking for photos. It is important to teach children that if it feels off, it most probably is.”

Last week, the American state of Louisiana sued Roblox, accusing the gaming platform of providing an environment where sexual predators can thrive and called it the“perfect place for pedophiles.”

Another risk in online games is that of cybersecurity. According to Kaspersky's latest findings, between April 2024 and March 2025, there were more than 19 million attempted attacks exploiting the names of popular Gen Z games, targeting more than 400,000 unique users.

“In March 2025 alone, attackers attempted nearly 1.8 million attacks, demonstrating how gaming trends continue to be exploited to reach young users,” said the spokesperson.

Laura said there were several warning signs that parents should look out for.“Be alert to the 'older friend' who gives gifts, asks for secrets, or pushes chats off‐platform,” she said.“Unexplained charges, VPN apps, or excuses like 'my account was stolen' means it's time to check security and spending. Late‐night, secretive play with slipping grades isn't just a phase; it's a signal your child needs support.”

She also added that it was important to set simple rhythms - homework first, no gaming after bedtime, and family time stays screen‐free.“Write a one‐page family gaming plan - what's OK, what's not, and calm consequences you'll actually keep,” she said.

Dr Shaju said that discussing online risks openly and involving children in setting privacy rules was important to build trust.“Talk about scams, digital privacy, and the concept of virtual currencies having real-world value,” he said.“Also use moderation tools and reporting systems.”

He also cautioned them to look out for warning signs including spending increasing amounts of time gaming at the cost of school, hygiene, or social life, emotional distress when not gaming , secrecy or lying about gaming habits or online interactions and withdrawal from social activities.

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