In Azerbaijan, 90.5% of parents support the regulation of children's social media usage, according to recent findings. This growing public consensus highlights a significant shift in the discourse surrounding digital safety for minors in the country.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, this statement was made by Zahid Oruj, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly), during a joint session of the Human Rights, Family, Women and Children Affairs, and Legal Policy and State Building committees.
Oruj noted that among school-aged children in Azerbaijan, the most frequently used social media platforms include YouTube (69.1%), WhatsApp (47.9%), and TikTok (33.0%).
"Based on the results of a public opinion poll conducted by the Center for Social Research in December 2025 among 1,100 respondents, 87.3% of people in Azerbaijan support the proposal to regulate social media use for children under 16. Of those surveyed, 11.1% disagreed with the proposal, while 1.6% chose not to express an opinion," Oruj stated. "In other words, the proposals to regulate children's social media usage stem from the public and represent a social demand. Among those with school-aged children, 90.5% view the proposal positively, although a more critical approach is observed in the opinions of younger demographics and those with higher education."
The discussion reflects broader global efforts to address the impact of digital platforms on youth development. Legislative bodies worldwide are increasingly debating how to balance freedom of information with the protection of minors from harmful content, data privacy risks, and the psychological effects of excessive screen time.
