Roblox, PUBG becoming new hunting grounds for extremist recruiters
Online gaming platforms have become a new entry point for extremist recruitment, with groups turning to games like Roblox and PUBG to reach younger audiences with the goal of radicalising them.
Roblox, one of the world’s most popular gaming platforms, has emerged as a key target because of its young user base and flexible design tools.
In January 2025, a Texas man was arrested after using Roblox to issue violent extremist threats.
Authorities in Singapore and Germany have documented similar incidents. A 16-year-old in Singapore used Roblox to share pro-Islamic State propaganda, while two 12-year-olds in Germany encountered Nazi-themed content in World War II games before being lured into extremist Discord servers.
Experts say extremists use gaming environments to break down barriers: gameplay builds trust, shared interests make conversations feel harmless, and the shift to private channels happens quickly.
For many youths, these encounters become their first exposure to radical ideas.
The problem isn’t limited to jihadist or far-right groups. Networks like the nihilistic group “764” and even Proud Boys-linked accounts have been spotted on gaming platforms, targeting very young users who may not recognise extremist symbolism.
Regulators and child-safety advocates are urging platforms to strengthen oversight. Roblox has introduced new age-tier controls and AI moderation systems, but researchers say the sheer volume of content — billions of chat messages a day — makes full monitoring nearly impossible.
Still, specialists caution against blaming the games alone. They note that young people drawn into extremist circles often feel isolated offline, making them more susceptible to belonging and validation online.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
