Minister of Education Discusses Limiting Access to Social Networks for Children Under 16

The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia, Zhanna Andreasyan, addressed the issue of limiting access to social networks for children under 16 during a recent meeting of the public council. The ministry informed Armenpress that Andreasyan emphasized the importance of discussing this matter with council members to hear their views and suggestions regarding the initiative.

She stated, "In fact, many concerning phenomena, such as bullying and child safety, often transition from the physical environment and transform into issues occurring in virtual spaces. The safety of children on social platforms has become a critical concern."

According to the minister, there is currently no unified approach in the world. Some countries are opting for bans, while others are implementing policies aimed at self-regulation and increasing literacy. "It is not that one option is entirely correct and the other is wrong. Each approach has its advantages and gaps. Understanding our local context, we must find intelligent and informed approaches that will prepare us for potential challenges while properly protecting children from all risks," Andreasyan mentioned, expressing hope that the discussion would support this important endeavor.

"You have the opportunity to contribute to adopting more informed and thoughtful approaches," the minister noted, emphasizing that since the issue is not confined solely to the Ministry of Education, a cross-agency working group has been established to study the matter.