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.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned “foreigners who commit evil” have no place in the Gulf, outlining a “new phas...
A freight train carrying Russian grain and fertiliser has departed Azerbaijan for Armenia, continuing transit flows across the South Caucasus....
China has passed a new law aimed at ensuring its most vulnerable citizens are not left without support....
Tashkent hosted the INMerge Innovation Summit Roadshow, bringing together start-ups, investors and technology leaders to explore the future of Cent...
A European Parliament resolution on Armenia is stirring debate beyond Brussels, with its wording raising concerns in Azerbaijan as peace talks gath...
China has passed a new law aimed at ensuring its most vulnerable citizens are not left without support.
Tashkent hosted the INMerge Innovation Summit Roadshow, bringing together start-ups, investors and technology leaders to explore the future of Central Asia’s digital economy and regional cooperation.
Azerbaijan–Armenia border talks that have produced a draft text on delimitation are “very important”, an ex-diplomat and international energy leader has said, urging leaders to resist ultranationalist pressure and negotiate fairly.
The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, visited Tehran to address “urgent humanitarian concerns” following the U.S.–Israel war on Iran, according to an ICRC delegation statement.
A report published by Minval Politika has raised new questions over alleged efforts by Luis Moreno Ocampo to shape international pressure against Azerbaijan and influence political dynamics around Armenia.
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 billion had so far been spent on the conflict, most of it on munitions. Earlier, Donald Trump said that the U.S. had "militarily defeated" Tehran.
Shares in Meta Platforms fell sharply in extended trading on Wednesday after the tech giant raised its annual capital spending forecast by billions of dollars.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned “foreigners who commit evil” have no place in the Gulf, outlining a “new phase” for the Strait of Hormuz, while a senior adviser said U.S. blockade efforts would fail and could trigger confrontation.
The decision by the United Arab Emirates to leave OPEC+ on 1 May has put renewed focus on one of the most influential groups in global energy - and how its decisions can shape oil prices worldwide.
A freight train carrying Russian grain and fertiliser has departed Azerbaijan for Armenia, continuing transit flows across the South Caucasus.
Tashkent hosted the INMerge Innovation Summit Roadshow, bringing together start-ups, investors and technology leaders to explore the future of Central Asia’s digital economy and regional cooperation.
A European Parliament resolution on Armenia is stirring debate beyond Brussels, with its wording raising concerns in Azerbaijan as peace talks gather momentum.
Azerbaijan–Armenia border talks that have produced a draft text on delimitation are “very important”, an ex-diplomat and international energy leader has said, urging leaders to resist ultranationalist pressure and negotiate fairly.
The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, visited Tehran to address “urgent humanitarian concerns” following the U.S.–Israel war on Iran, according to an ICRC delegation statement.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment