President Tokayev supports social media ban for children under 16 in Kazakhstan

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev supported the government’s initiative to prohibit children under 16 from registering on social media. The president made the statement during the ceremonial opening of the first session of the Kurultai of the first convocation, Kazakhstan’s new unicameral parliament.

According to the president, the government should create not only a comfortable but also a safe environment for the younger generation.

«Overall, we have to create favorable conditions for a comfortable and, most importantly, safe environment for the younger generation. In this regard, the government has proposed legislation to legally prohibit children under 16 from registering on social media,» Tokayev said.

The president noted that he had spoken in detail about the issue during the recent August Conference. According to Tokayev, other countries are also introducing similar restrictions.

«Many countries are adopting these measures. I support this initiative. I believe this issue should be addressed as a matter of priority,» Tokayev stressed.

At the same time, Tokayev emphasized that a legislative ban alone would not be enough. Before adopting the document, authorities should determine how the restriction would work in practice.

«At the same time, when adopting the bill, it is necessary to elaborate all the mechanisms for its implementation in advance, as regulations should not remain merely on paper,» the president said.

Tokayev also addressed legislation regulating the operation of online platforms and mass media. According to him, this area also requires additional measures to protect citizens’ rights.

«Laws regulating the operation of online platforms and mass media should also receive particular attention. Additional measures should be taken to protect the rights and legitimate interests of citizens in the information space,» he said.