AZE.US
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an executive order aimed at strengthening the protection of children from harmful content and negative influences in the digital environment, including the introduction of age restrictions for social media registration.
Under the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers has been instructed to prepare draft normative legal acts within three months. The package will address mechanisms to protect children from harmful online content and may include mandatory age verification requirements when registering on social media platforms.
The document notes that the rapid development of information and communication technologies has significantly expanded the role of social networks in public life. At the same time, children are entering digital spaces at increasingly younger ages, while the scale of content production, distribution and consumption continues to grow.
Authorities say the current regulatory framework requires reassessment and modernization in light of evolving technological, social and security challenges.
Citing international research and global practice, the decree emphasizes the need for stronger legal and technological safeguards to ensure children’s psychological well-being, privacy and safe development in online environments. It highlights the growing international trend of imposing clearer obligations on digital platforms to reduce risks for minors, enhance data protection and implement child-focused safety mechanisms.
The planned reforms are expected to introduce a more systematic legal framework for platform regulation, expand parental control tools, and promote age-appropriate content filtering systems. Officials also aim to strengthen digital literacy, cybersecurity awareness and responsible online behavior among children and adolescents.
In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers has been tasked with:
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establishing rules for the use of mobile and electronic devices in preschool groups and general education institutions;
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incorporating digital literacy, cybersecurity and responsible online conduct into school curricula;
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launching public awareness campaigns targeting parents, teachers and students;
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conducting regular outreach on lawful social media use and child rights protection;
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promoting scientific research on children’s digital well-being.
The initiative seeks to balance child protection with the development of digital skills and creative potential, aligning Azerbaijan’s regulatory approach with evolving international standards in online child safety.