On 18 June 2026, the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs organized a public hearing on "Measures to Protect Children from Harmful Content and Influences in the Digital Environment."

The event, held at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, brought together representatives of government institutions, media professionals, social media influencers (bloggers), civil society organizations, and psychologists.

The purpose of the public hearing was to discuss the current situation regarding children's use of social media, examine existing risks and protective mechanisms, gather the views and recommendations of relevant stakeholders, and develop proposals aimed at strengthening children's digital safety.

Opening the event, Mr. Urkhan Alakbarov the Rector of the Academy, welcomed the participants and expressed his appreciation to the State Committee for initiating the public hearing. He highlighted the importance of the initiative, emphasizing its role in enhancing children's digital safety.

Ms. Bahar Muradova, Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs, noted that the world is changing rapidly and that digital technologies have become an integral part of everyday life. Referring to international practices in regulating global digital platforms, she stated that governments around the world are taking more decisive measures and that Azerbaijan is actively participating in this process. She stressed that the primary objective of the public hearing was to hear the perspectives of all stakeholders, jointly assess contemporary challenges, and contribute to building a safer digital future for children. Ms. Muradova emphasized that the goal is not to distance children from technology, but to ensure their safe, informed, and responsible participation in the digital environment.

Describing the draft law under discussion as an important legal instrument, Ms. Muradova noted that it includes key provisions aimed at strengthening children's digital safety, increasing parental responsibility, ensuring the accountability of digital platforms, and protecting personal data. She also pointed out that the draft introduces legal regulations concerning age restrictions on social media platforms and the protection of personal information collected during age verification procedures.