President Ilham Aliyev has signed an Order on measures to protect children from harmful content and influences in the digital environment.
According to Modern.az, the Order states that the development of information and communication technologies and the widespread application of digital technologies in the Republic of Azerbaijan have led to social networks occupying a significant place in the system of public relations.
"The rapid digitalization of social relations and the increasingly early entry of social networks into children's daily lives, along with the growing scale of information production, dissemination, and consumption through these networks, necessitate an analysis and improvement of the current state of legal regulation in this area from the perspective of modern technological, social, and security challenges.
Studies by international organizations and scientific research institutions, as well as the experience of other countries, show that attention to the protection of children in the digital environment, and the application of special legal protection and technological safeguarding mechanisms are required for their psychological well-being, safety, and healthy development. This approach recommends the direct protection of children's private lives, dignity, and safety in the digital environment by states. In international practice, it is observed that the regulation of social network activities, and the widespread application of requirements that define obligations for them regarding the reduction of risks for children, more stringent data protection, and security, are gaining momentum.
These new requirements ensure the safety of children and adolescents in the digital environment through the systematic legal regulation of social network activities, parental control, in-platform security mechanisms, and age-appropriate content filters, while also creating conditions for the development of their critical information analysis, behavior, and knowledge culture", - the Order emphasized.
According to the Order, the Cabinet of Ministers shall:
involve relevant state bodies (institutions), scientific institutions and organizations, specialists, and civil society institutions, and taking into account international experience, prepare and submit to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, within three months, draft normative legal acts covering the protection of children from harmful content and influences on social networks within the country, including the application of age restrictions during registration on social networks;
1.2. ensure the implementation of measures related to the determination and application of rules for the use of mobile and electronic devices in pre-school preparation groups and general education institutions;
take measures related to the inclusion of topics such as digital literacy, cybersecurity, and responsible online behavior into educational programs (curricula), including content standards, for pre-school preparation and general education subjects, and simultaneously prepare and implement awareness programs aimed at parents, teachers, and children in the media;
take measures for the regular implementation of awareness work related to ensuring the lawful use of social networks and the protection of children's rights during such use, including promoting scientific research on children's digital well-being;
resolve other issues arising from this Order.
