ASTANA – Kazakhstan is considering banning children under 16 from registering on social media platforms as authorities seek to address growing concerns about cyberbullying, harmful content and the impact of excessive screen time on adolescents’ mental health. The Ministry of Culture and Information has developed draft amendments to legislation concerning online platforms and mass media, which are currently under review by government agencies.
The proposal would prohibit children under 16 from registering on social media platforms, while still allowing access to instant messaging services. According to the ministry, the measure is intended to protect minors from harmful online content, cyberbullying, and addictive platform algorithms designed to maximize user engagement.
“The ban is primarily due to the fact that social networks, by their nature, are focused on engagement mechanisms, algorithmic content distribution, and the commercial monetization of user attention. For minors, this creates increased risks of exposure to destructive, harmful, or age-inappropriate content, as well as cyberbullying and addictive behavior,” said the ministry in a written comment to The Astana Times.
As the world changes at an unprecedented pace, leaving little time to pause and connect with loved ones, the beginning of the summer holidays in Kazakhstan serves as an important reminder of the irreplaceable value of time spent with children. Today, however, much of children’s lives is shaped not by face-to-face communication, but by digital space, which offers both opportunities and risks and has already created serious challenges for families worldwide.
The under-16 ban refers to a growing international legislative trend aimed at restricting children under 16 years old from accessing major social media platforms. The approach places greater responsibility for child safety on technology companies rather than solely on parents.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese supported legislation setting a minimum age of 16 for social media use and urged public support for the measure. Photo credit: Al Jazeera Australia has implemented restrictions on minors’ access to social media beginning Dec.
10, 2025. Indonesia introduced similar measures in March, while Türkiye adopted related legislation in April. France is also moving toward tighter restrictions, with relevant legislation currently undergoing final approval procedures. Discussions on comparable measures are underway in Spain, Denmark, and the United Kingdom, reflecting a broader shift in public policy toward digital risk prevention for minors.
The Kazakh authorities say they are studying international experience while considering national legislation, technological infrastructure, and digital development. The growing debate reflects the scale of children’s online activity in Kazakhstan. According to research published in December 2024 by the Kazakhstan Institute of Public Development (KIOR), the impact of social media on children’s mental health is shaped by time spent online, the type of content consumed, and the influence of digital environments on sleep, physical activity, and emotional well-being.