Baku: "The main essence of the proposed law is to protect children from harmful influences on social networks," said Elmir Valizada, Sector Head of the Department for Work with Non-Governmental Organizations and Communication of the Presidential Administration, during a public discussion of a draft law proposing amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses, the Law "On Information, Informatization and Protection of Information," and the Law "On Protection of Children from Harmful Information."

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Valizada emphasized the significant importance of these amendments for society, stating that the protection of children from harmful information and influences is a serious issue. He pointed out the reality of social networks in contemporary times and expressed regret that children are joining these platforms at an early age, exposing them to harmful influences before reaching adulthood. Valizada noted that there are instances on social networks that could encourage behavior contrary to child protection laws, which is the primary concern addressed by the proposed legislation.

Valizada further highlighted that a vast majority of children over the age of 13 are using one or more social networks. He explained that the main goal of these platforms is to retain users for longer durations, generating revenue for the companies involved. Reports indicate that children spend an average of more than 2-4 hours a day on social networks, which could lead to undesirable behavior towards peers and parents due to external influences. It was also noted that girls are more susceptible to these influences.

Efforts to address these concerns are ongoing in the country, as Valizada concluded, underscoring the continuous nature of initiatives aimed at protecting children from harmful digital environments.