Zahid Oruc, chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Milli Majlis, commented on a draft law restricting social media registration for children under 16.
He stated that the bill aims to protect children's rights in the digital space. The parliament has been consistently adopting decisions in this area.
Technological development is at its peak globally, and the digital space has replaced physical reality. Social media platforms are not alternatives but real life itself.
Azerbaijan's step is based on international experience. Countries like Australia, France, Spain, the UK, the US, and China have already imposed various restrictions.
According to the WHO 2023 report, 95% of adolescents aged 13-17 are active social media users. The average daily use exceeds 5 hours.
Harvard University research confirms that increased social media use is linked to depressive symptoms.
According to Interpol's 2023 report, 78% of online child sexual exploitation cases occur through social media platforms.
In Azerbaijan, 89% of children aged 10-17 use smartphones. Daily average social media use is 4 hours and 12 minutes.
According to the Republican Children's Hospital, psychological referrals related to screen time increased 4.7 times between 2022 and 2025.
The draft law aims to protect children under 16 from harmful effects of social media platforms. For ages 16-18, account creation is allowed only with parental consent.
Platform providers will be required to implement age verification mechanisms. Manipulative design techniques will not be permitted.
Zahid Oruc emphasized that the goal is not to distance children from technology but to protect them from manipulative algorithms.
