Appeal of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Ombudsman) on the safety of children in the digital environment

According to research conducted by the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the risks posed by online games and interactive platforms that have become widespread among children in recent years, particularly the “Roblox” platform, are a cause for serious concern. These days, the risks that kids face in the digital world are more than just a technological issue but have become a serious problem that must be assessed from the human rights perspective.

Children using the platform in question are directly subjected to psychological manipulation in addition to being exposed to technical concerns, according to the observations conducted, materials published in the media, and expert opinions. In particular, bullying (pressure, insults, and social exclusion), grooming (the practice of gradually gaining children’s trust in order to manipulate them), emotional abuse, and behaviors aimed at creating fear and dependency are among the widespread and dangerous trends. Such forms of psychological manipulation can lead to reduced self-confidence in children, stress, anxiety, fear, behavioral disorders, and long-term psychological trauma, resulting in serious violations of children’s rights.

This issue has been recognized as a serious problem not only at the national level but also internationally. A number of states, including China, Russia, Türkiye, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, Iraq, and other countries, have banned or restricted the “Roblox” platform precisely because of the risks involved. These states cite the presence of inappropriate content and forms of interaction for children on the platform, the spread of unacceptable and extremist materials among minors, and concerns about children’s safety.

Thus, the formal application of age restrictions on digital platforms designed for children, the absence of effective content moderation mechanisms, deficiencies in the protection of personal data, and exposure to financial manipulation risks lead to violations of children’s rights. 

According to the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the State oversees the implementation of children’s rights and provides special protection for the family as the fundamental unit of society. Under the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On the Rights of the Child,” every child has the right to life and to physical, intellectual, and moral development under normal conditions, and the State agrees to put in place the economic, social, legal, and other measures necessary to ensure these conditions and to create a healthy and safe environment.

Under the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On the Protection of Children from Harmful Information," the fundamental principles for protecting children from harmful information are the best interests of the child, the protection of their rights and freedoms, the prevention of the circulation of harmful information products, including violations of children's rights committed through the use of information technologies, and other specified principles.

Considering the aforementioned, I urge the appropriate state authorities to take the required steps to guarantee children's digital safety, including bolstering oversight procedures over online platforms, carrying out legal evaluations of related dangers, and putting preventive measures into place.

Addressing parents (or those acting in their place), I should stress the importance of keeping a close eye on how kids use digital platforms, putting parental control mechanisms in place, communicating with kids in an honest and trustworthy manner, and educating them about potential hazards they might face in the virtual world.

It is essential that media outlets and journalists act responsibly on this issue, keeping the best interests of children and the protection of their rights at the forefront, while helping the public receive accurate information.

As the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I once again stress the significance of children's safety in the digital sphere and urge the relevant authorities and civil society organizations to take the appropriate measures in this regard to jointly achieve more effective protection of children's rights.

Sabina Aliyeva

The Commissioner for Human Rights 

of the Republic of Azerbaijan

(Ombudsman)