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Study underway to ban children under 16 from accessing social networks, says Mongolia education minister www.gogo.mn
P.Naranbayar, Minister of Education, made a statement on February 14, 2025, announcing that a Working Group has been established to explore a potential law prohibiting children under 16 from accessing social networks in Mongolia. The group, led by Minister’s Advisor D.Gantulga, will study similar laws implemented in other countries, particularly focusing on Australia’s recent legislation.
Australia’s Law as a Reference
On November 29, 2024, Australia passed a law prohibiting children under 16 from using social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok, which has since gained global attention. The Working Group in Mongolia is now reviewing the effectiveness of this legislation and working on a draft law that could introduce similar restrictions. The aim is to protect children from inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and potential mental health risks associated with excessive social media use.
Public Consultations and Data-Driven Approach
Minister Naranbayar emphasized the importance of reaching a social consensus on the issue through discussions and consultations with all affected groups. He cited a 2020 survey on “Children’s Safety in the Online Environment,” which revealed a concerning disparity: while 91% of parents believed their children had never been attacked online, 87% of children reported experiencing online abuse—60% of whom never told their parents.
“Protecting our children from inappropriate content and online risks is a responsibility we must take seriously,” said the minister. He noted that several European countries have introduced similar measures:
In France, users under 15 must have parental consent to access social media.
Germany allows children aged 13-16 to use social networks with parental supervision.
Norway is considering raising the minimum age for social media use to 15.
Countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom require parental consent to collect information from users under 13.
Balancing Protection and Access to Educational Content
Minister P.Naranbayar reassured the public that children’s right to access educational content on platforms such as YouTube and Medley will not be affected. He stressed that the use of school management systems (SMS) and learning management systems (LMS) will be improved to ensure effective teacher-student communication without relying on social media platforms like Facebook Messenger.
The Eduten program, in use from the second grade, allows children to engage in learning activities for around 20 minutes at a time without causing screen addiction. The program utilizes smartboards in classrooms and computer screens at home, promoting structured learning.
Screen Addiction: A Growing Concern
D. Gantulga, head of the Working Group, warned about the dangers of screen addiction, comparing it to other forms of dependency such as gambling, alcohol, and drug addiction. “When children are exposed to screens excessively, their brains release increased amounts of dopamine, similar to addiction patterns in other areas,” he said. “This can lead to long-term mental health issues.”
He emphasized that the working group is closely studying the Australian model to develop policies that protect Mongolian children from screen addiction while promoting safe and healthy digital engagement.
Published Date:2025-02-17
