Kazakhstan has drafted a bill that would prohibit users under the age of 16 from registering on most online platforms.
The initiative is presented on the “Open Regulatory Legal Acts” portal as part of the draft law titled “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts Regarding Online Platforms and Mass Media,” prepared by the Ministry of Culture and Information.
The primary aim of the legislation is to strengthen the protection of children from potentially harmful and illegal content online.
The key provision is set out in the new Article 10-1 of the Law on Online Platforms and Online Advertising.
According to the draft, registration on online platforms for those under sixteen will be prohibited, with the exception of instant messaging services.
It means that children will be unable to create accounts on most social networks, video hosting services, and content-sharing platforms, while messaging apps will remain accessible.
The bill’s authors explain that the measure is designed to protect minors from harmful information and destructive content, the dissemination of which online has raised concerns among authorities.
The draft legislation follows a presidential directive issued after an extended government meeting on 28 January 2025, which focused on establishing legal accountability for internet platforms distributing unsafe content.
Implementing an age threshold, according to the Ministry of Culture and Information, is part of a broader effort to create a safe information environment and reduce risks for minors.
The draft law encompasses a comprehensive set of amendments, including over 80 changes to various legislative acts.
Expected outcomes include a reduction in illegal content, enhanced protection for children online, the creation of a level playing field for domestic and international digital market players, and the strengthening of public trust in online platforms and mass media.
The explanatory note emphasises that the law’s implementation will not require additional public funding and is not expected to have negative socio-economic consequences.
Once approved by Parliament and signed by the President, the law is set to come into effect 60 days after its official publication.
The idea of restricting social media access for children is not new in Kazakhstan. On 12 November, Majilis (Parliament) deputy Askhat Aimagambetov proposed age limits for registration on platforms popular among young people, such as TikTok and Instagram.
In his remarks, he highlighted that similar measures are already in place in many countries: for instance, registration in Denmark and Australia is allowed from the ages of 15–16, while in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, parental consent and additional verification are required.
The United States has bombed Iran for an 11th consecutive night as the Pentagon says the war’s cost reach $37.5 billion. President Donald Trump thr...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 22nd of July, covering the latest developments you need to kn...
Moldova's parliament has approved a new government led by Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, who pledged to revive the economy while keeping the country on ...
The United States has bombed Iran for an 11th consecutive night as the Pentagon says the war’s cost reach $37.5 billion. President Donald Trump threatens a heavy strike on the suspected Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site. Tehran warns that any attack could trigger a wider regional escalation.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 22nd of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Moldova's parliament has approved a new government led by Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, who pledged to revive the economy while keeping the country on track for European Union membership.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, replacing him with General Mykhailo Drapatyi in one of the most significant military leadership changes since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 21st of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
President Donald Trump said the United States will target Iran’s heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain site “pretty soon” as he meets with Lebanese president Michel Aoun. Meanwhile, U.S. forces carried out a 10th consecutive night of strikes on Iran while Tehran continues to target Gulf countries.
Overnight U.S. strikes caused blackouts in southwestern Iran and hit the northwestern city of Tabriz for the first time. Separately, a U.S. soldier died in northern Iraq during a controlled detonation of an unexploded Iranian drone.
Azerbaijan has rejected suggestions it played any official role in reported private talks between former German politicians and Russian representatives in Baku, saying the meetings were organised independently.
Police fired tear gas and arrested at least 15 people after clashes broke out near Buenos Aires' Obelisk, where thousands had gathered following Argentina's 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has expressed its deepest condolences following the confirmed deaths of five Afghans in Nimroz province, while the search continues for 14 others.
Lebanese army troops have begun deploying in the southern town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh after Israeli forces withdrew from the area, marking the first major step in a U.S.-brokered plan to reduce tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier have discussed regional developments, transport connectivity, energy cooperation and the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process during talks in Berlin.
Georgian officials have returned from Rotterdam with new ideas for multimodal logistics, but after years of delays, the Anaklia Deepwater Port still faces significant challenges before it becomes a reality.
A family of six, including four children, has been killed after an Israeli airstrike hit their home in Gaza City, underscoring the continuing violence despite a ceasefire that has formally remained in place for more than nine months.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment