SHAH ALAM, Oct 29 — The Selangor government will be discussing violent online video games, including Roblox, with e-sports groups, said state executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi.
He said it is time to pay serious attention to online games so people are aware of the dangers of violent e-sports, especially to children.
“Selangor views seriously the incident where a six-year-old boy was slashed over an online game like Roblox. We will discuss this with e-sports associations to identify aid types and appropriate steps so people realise the dangers of violent (e-)sports,” he told Media Selangor.
He suggested that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Digital Ministry relook at violent games that can be downloaded onto smartphones.
Najwan also said parents should be stricter and more aware of their children’s virtual activities.
“The majority of kids’ phones have Roblox, and parents must take drastic action so children don’t continue playing it.
“Every action begins at home, so parents must play their role by checking their children’s phones and monitoring how often they game,” Najwan added.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Esports Federation (MESF) president Muhammad Naim Mohd Zaharin said a digital safety guideline will be launched to protect kids from risks of playing games such as Roblox.
He said the decision was made after his meeting with Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and Roblox representatives today.
Naim added that the discussion covered digital safety issues including paedophilia, cyberbullying, gaming addiction, online exploitation, and exposure to inappropriate content.
“We will release a suitable safety guideline … and implement an integrated awareness programme to curb this issue. MESF and its stakeholders will also clarify which games are suitable for which ages,” he said, as reported by Free Malaysia Today.
He stressed that although certain video games aren’t considered e-sports, MESF is still responsible for mitigating risks and unhealthy influences among young gamers.
Previously, a six-year-old boy suffered severe injuries to the neck and body after being slashed in Kampung Parit Nipah Laut in Batu Pahat, Johor. His parents, both in their 40s, were arrested.
Johor police have not ruled out the possibility that the incident was influenced by popular online game Roblox.
Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said initial investigations have revealed the attack could have been carried out by the victim’s nine-year-old brother, who flew into a rage after his online game was disrupted and he lost around a million points.
“The suspect is believed to have experienced hallucinations due to the influence of the game, and it was as if he was ordered to hurt his family,” Rahaman said.
The six-year-old is being treated at Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital.
