The UAE government has ordered the blocking of several gaming websites that threaten and affect the behavior of young gamers in the country.

Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, UAE Attorney-General, ordered to block online gaming websites including Roblox, My Friend Cayla, Blue Whale, Cloudpets, and Mariam.

According to authorities, the gaming websites hack personal data of gamers including their personal and family information. Authorities added that these websites push gamers to do “bizarre behaviors and acts that threaten their lives”.

The Abu Dhabi Police, meanwhile, assured the public that protection of the welfare of children is given priority alongside security of families in the country.

Last month, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) in the UAE announced that they have been keeping a close watch for signs of the ‘Blue Whale’ challenge, even if the game does not seem to exist in any online platforms in the country.

The TRA also responded to parents concerned about their children’s safety and said that dubious apps and websites that may induce harm or in some cases, suicide, are automatically blocked, thanks to the authority’s Internet access policy.

The TRA’s announcement comes after two Filipino teenage kids apparently committed suicide in the UAE, which sources said was part of the Blue Whale challenge.

The two suicide incidents point to an online game, called the ‘Blue Whale’ challenge, that costed the lives of several people in various parts of the globe, mostly youngsters.

Share This Post