Kazakhstan May Introduce Ban on Social Networks for Children

The Ministry of Culture and Information has drafted legislation regulating online platforms and media, proposing a ban on social network registration for citizens under 16.

To implement the measure, mechanisms for age verification and responsibility will be developed jointly with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence.

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balaeva stated at a government meeting that the bills have passed expert review and are now open for public discussion.

Special attention will be given to improving media literacy, including among children and adolescents.

Lawmakers will also consider regulating the distribution of advertising revenues between online platforms and media, as well as partially lifting bans on certain types of advertising.

The ban on social networks for minors remains controversial and its effectiveness unproven. However, similar measures have already been introduced in Australia and are under discussion in several EU countries.

For example, France is actively promoting a “digital majority” law setting the threshold at 15 years. From September 2026, mandatory nationwide age verification is planned.

In Malaysia, starting January 2026, authorities also planned to require social networks to block users under 16 using eKYC systems based on national IDs.