Azerbaijani MP warns of online risks facing children

Regardless of the country where a child lives, the use of social media, online games and other digital platforms is associated with certain risks, Hijran Huseynova, chairperson of the Milli Majlis Committee on Family, Women and Children, said at a public discussion, Report informs.

The discussion was held on the topic "Digital development, artificial intelligence and protection of children from the harmful effects of social media platforms."

According to her, every sixth school-age child in the world today faces cyberbullying.

"However, this is only one form of digital violence. There are also such forms of human rights violations in the online space as cyberviolence, cyberexploitation and others. Cases of online pedophilia, as well as suicides among teenagers linked to online communication, are recorded around the world. Therefore, it can be said that the problem is much broader and deeper than we usually imagine," she said.

Huseynova stressed that, against this background, many countries are paying increasing attention to children's safety on social media by improving legislation and introducing new protection mechanisms.

She also noted that Azerbaijan is working to improve legislation in the field of child safety. According to her, along with a strong legislative framework and the measures being taken, attention should also be paid to the legal responsibility of parents.

"Parents play a key role in the child protection system. They are responsible for ensuring a child's safety and upbringing. Therefore, the family is important in shaping a culture of safe behavior on the internet. Parental control, involvement in the upbringing process, and attention to how children spend their free time, their interests and the digital resources they use are of great importance," the committee chairperson said.

She added that, for children's comprehensive development, it is also important to create conditions for sports, creativity, reading, communication with peers and other activities that support socialization.