In the era of digitalization and the widespread use of social media, countries around the world are facing a new reality: protecting children and adolescents from harmful online content has become a top priority. Kazakhstan is no exception, El.kz reports citing.
This was stated by Olga Simakova, project coordinator at the public foundation CSPI "Strategy" during an expert meeting dedicated to discussing the promotion of destructive behavior models among minors in the digital space.
“With the spread of social media, the risk of exposure to harmful content has increased — including pornography, scenes of cruelty and violence, and the promotion of unhealthy, including non-traditional, relationships,” she emphasized.
According to the expert, today governments must not only adapt, but actively fight for the future of their children by building barriers against externally imposed behavior models that often contradict traditional and cultural values.
Other countries’ experience
Olga Simakova noted that similar measures have long been discussed and implemented in other countries, including European ones.
“In a number of countries, including so-called ‘democratic’ European nations, steps are being taken to regulate the online space, restrict the operations of certain social media platforms, and identify new types of crime in the digital world,” she said.
For instance, legislative measures to restrict LGBT propaganda have been considered and partially implemented in Poland, Lithuania, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and other countries. According to her, Kazakhstan is moving in the same direction.
“We are already following the path of states that have enacted legislation to create a ‘safe digital environment’ for future generations,” Simakova added.
Survey results: Public demand for protection of traditional values
The public foundation “Strategy” conducted its own survey covering a broad segment of the Kazakhstani population. The results clearly demonstrate public concern over the promotion of non-traditional relationships.
“84.2% of respondents support the measures taken by the government to protect traditional values,” the project coordinator said.
“Additionally, 67.3% of those surveyed are in favor of restricting LGBT propaganda at the legislative level. Moreover, 79.8% consider such propaganda a threat to youth.”
Kazakhstani citizens are particularly concerned about the impact of such information on teenagers. Over half of the respondents indicated that their primary concern is the negative influence of LGBT propaganda on the physical and emotional development of children.
Safe internet as a public priority
“The majority of Kazakhstani society clearly recognizes the risks that LGBT propaganda poses for the younger generation. This highlights how pressing the issue of creating a ‘safe internet environment’ truly is,” Simakova summarized.
In her view, efforts to limit destructive content should go hand in hand with the systematic development of digital hygiene, educational initiatives, and the promotion of content that supports traditional values and a healthy lifestyle.