Introduction
In recent years, the virtual world has become a platform for expressing solidarity against any injustice in the world and engaging in political activism. Social media has not only become the power of the people around but it is also one of the most powerful tools for the expression of speech. No matter if there is a ‘black lives matter’ trend or the ‘#metoo’ movement, social media is the greatest weapon of the 21st century.
One such example is the growing trend of virtual protests on Roblox, a popular online gaming platform. Amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, thousands of Malaysians, including many children, have taken to Roblox to attend pro-Palestine protests and expressed their support against the genocide of Palestinian people.
The Power of Roblox: A Sandbox MMO Game
Roblox is a sandbox MMO game that allows users to create their own servers and social experiences. It has gained immense popularity, with over 65 million daily active users, especially among teenagers. During the pandemic lockdowns, more than half of all U.S. teens were playing Roblox, making it an ideal platform for young people to express themselves and engage in political activities. The platform is not only a place for fun and unlimited adventure but also has provided a space where we can interact and share our opinions.
Roblox Palestine Protest
The virtual protests on Roblox began when Afiq Mat Zaid, a Malaysian content creator, organized a pro-Palestine rally on the platform. He felt a deep sense of obligation to raise awareness through his platform and raise his voice against the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people by Israelis. There was a clip uploaded on TikTok by user “cikguzyd“. Hundreds of Roblox characters gathered at an open-air site, showing Palestine flags and holding signs reading “Solidarity Untukmu Palestine.”
The virtual protests quickly gained traction, with videos of the rallies going viral on social media platforms like TikTok. One of Afiq’s videos garnered over 3.2 million views, creating a ripple effect and inspiring more people to join the cause. The Roblox server hosting the protests has been visited over 275,000 times, indicating the significant impact of these virtual demonstrations.
Children as Active Participants
Roblox’s user base primarily consists of children and teenagers. According to data published by Roblox in December 2022, almost half of its users are 12 years old or younger. This demographic has actively participated in the pro-Palestine protests on Roblox, with parents sharing stories of their children attending the virtual rallies. The ability to engage in political activism through a game offers young people a safe space to express their views and learn about world events.
Indeed in these hard times, this is one true and positive sign that our kids has shown to us. The world is going through hard times and it is very significant for us to make us kids aware against this Israel-Palestine conflict and develop their personalities in a way that they can stand against wrong no matter how hard it is to be, no matter what it takes.
Moderation and Community Guidelines
Roblox has strict community guidelines in place to ensure a safe and respectful environment for its users. While the platform allows expressions of solidarity, it prohibits content that endorses violence, promotes terrorism, or incites hatred against individuals or groups. Roblox’s team of thousands of moderators, along with automated detection tools, monitors the platform to swiftly take action against any content or individuals violating these standards.
The company also employs censorship measures to filter out certain words and phrases. However, the choice of censored words can sometimes appear arbitrary. For example, the term “Jews” is not allowed within the Palestinian solidarity server but not across the Roblox platform. Roblox justifies this by explaining that they monitor the use of the word “Jews” to protect against its pejorative usage. Similarly, phrases like “Free Palestine” are censored, while variations like “Palestine will be free” are not.
However, this is not right! The platform should let people have their opinions and the use of such phrases as it is the need of the hour. Allowing people to express themselves and engage in significant debates is the one true step towards humanity.
Platforms must strike a balance between encouraging free expression and ensuring responsible, safe, and inclusive online environments. And above all, don’t forget that staying neutral while ethnic cleansing is going on, is standing with the ones who support it!
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!
A Platform for Productive Conversations
Despite the challenges of moderation and censorship, the virtual protests on Roblox have become a space for productive conversations. The community tends to self-regulate, discouraging antisemitic speech and maintaining a peaceful environment. Afiq, the organizer of the protests, emphasizes the importance of spreading awareness without spreading hatred. Administrators monitor the behaviour of participants, ensuring that the virtual protests remain peaceful and respectful.
The Impact of Virtual Protests
The virtual protests on Roblox are part of a larger movement of solidarity emerging in Malaysia and other countries. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim joined thousands of pro-Palestinian activists in Kuala Lumpur to speak out against Israel’s activities in Gaza. Malaysia’s Education Ministry has declared a statewide Palestine Solidarity Week, highlighting the country’s rising support for the cause.
These virtual protests serve as a reminder of the power of digital platforms in facilitating political engagement and awareness. They provide an avenue for young people to participate in social and political movements, even when physical attendance is not possible. The ability to organize and express solidarity virtually has the potential to create a lasting impact and inspire change.
Conclusion
The rise of virtual protests on platforms like Roblox showcases the evolving nature of activism in the digital age. By utilizing these virtual spaces, individuals, particularly children and teenagers, can engage in political discourse, express solidarity, and raise awareness about global issues. Last week, children initiated a protest in the Roblox game where they expressed their support for Palestine. This is indeed a very appreciated and worthy move!
While challenges exist in terms of moderation and censorship, the impact of these virtual protests cannot be understated. They demonstrate the power of online communities to come together and make a difference, even in the face of physical limitations.
May our hope come true, and may peace and freedom embrace the Palestinian people, putting an end to their long-term suffering.
