Member of Parliament Proposes Banning Social Media Access for Children Under 14 in Kazakhstan

During the National Kurultai, Mazhilis Member Sergey Ponomarev proposed restricting social media access for children under the age of 14. The MP expressed deep concern over the excessive internet usage among the younger generation, stating it leads to the formation of "clip thinking," superficial judgment, and a tendency toward baseless criticism.

According to Ponomarev, the "Zoomer" and "Alpha" generations are experiencing a significant decline in face-to-face communication. He noted that young people have developed a habit of reacting impulsively to information without verifying its accuracy, which contributes to a growing detachment from reality.

The Member of Parliament emphasized that social media has evolved from simple communication platforms into powerful tools for socio-political influence. He cited examples from other nations where online platforms were utilized to organize and direct protest movements and political processes.

In light of these challenges, Ponomarev urged the Ministry of Digital Development and Innovations to conduct a comprehensive study of the issue and develop concrete solutions. His recommendations include:

• Protecting children and adolescents from harmful digital environments.
• Increasing the accountability and responsibility of digital platforms.
• Refining mechanisms to counter destructive information influence.

Highlighting international experience, the MP pointed out that several countries have already restricted social media access for those under 14, and in some cases, under 16. He clarified that the goal is not merely to impose restrictions, but to preserve critical thinking skills, analytical culture, and authentic human dialogue.

Notably, the Ministry of Culture and Information had previously drafted legislative amendments that would require online platforms to open representative offices in Kazakhstan, mandate the removal of illegal content, and set a minimum age of 16 for creating accounts.