In a shocking incident reflecting the dark side of video game addiction, a Malaysian boy stabbed his younger brother over the popular game "Roblox." The incident has sparked widespread debate about the influence of such games on children's behavior and the need for strict digital controls.
According to a Malaysian police statement, the incident occurred in the village of Kampong Barit Nibah in the city of Batu Pahat in the state of Johor. The boy used a sharp object to stab his nine-year-old brother after a dispute arose during gameplay. The South China Morning Post, citing Johor police chief Abdul Rahman Arshid, reported that initial investigations indicated that the older brother lost his temper when the game's internet connection was interrupted, causing him to lose the points he had accumulated during play.
Arshid also noted that the boy, during questioning, said he began experiencing "hallucinations" that night, feeling as if someone was demanding that he harm his family members, after which he lost control and stabbed his brother with a kitchen knife.
Following the incident, Malaysia's Minister of Youth and Sports, Hannah Yeoh, announced that "Roblox" had expressed its willingness to cooperate with the government to enhance digital safety measures and share data related to platform usage in compliance with national user protection regulations.
Yeoh stated in an official social media post: "We want a digital world that is not just about fun, but also contributes to building the character and right values for the next generation."
Meanwhile, the Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development, Nancy Shukri, stated that the government is considering banning the "Roblox" game or restricting access to it if it is found that its content poses a danger to children and teenagers, stressing that the ministry is taking seriously the growing concerns over digital safety and violent content on some interactive platforms.
This incident has reopened the discussion on the need to raise family awareness about the dangers of excessive video game use, especially those that rely on high competition and quick rewards, which may push some children toward aggressive behavior or social isolation.
While "Roblox" commits to strengthening its safety tools, the question remains as to how much parents and society can monitor excessive technology use before digital fun turns into a new family tragedy.