Majority of Azerbaijan's residents support banning social media for children under 16 - SURVEY
The results of the sociological survey "The Use of Social Networks and Their Impact on Society" have been published.
The Media Development Agency of Azerbaijan (MEDİA) conducted a public survey to study citizens' attitudes toward the legal regulation of social media use by persons under 16, as well as the level of social media use and its impact on society.
According to the survey results, overall 88.2% of respondents support a ban on access to social networks for persons under 16. Among respondents who have children under 16, the share of those supporting this decision is 91.2%. At the same time, 67.9% of these respondents reported that their children use social networks.
87.5% of survey participants believe that children's use of social networks has a negative impact on their education and upbringing.
In addition, 93.1% of respondents consider state regulation of social media activity to be appropriate.
According to the survey results, the overwhelming majority of respondents (81.8%) obtain information from social networks. Next come television (55.9%), news websites (48.8%), family members and people around them (37.9%), radio (5.8%), foreign media (4.8%), and newspapers and magazines (2.8%).
Among young people, the share of those who obtain information from social networks is 94.1%.
In terms of public trust in information sources, television ranks first at 64.6%. It is followed by news websites (43.0%), social networks (31.4%), radio (20.2%), and newspapers (9.6%).
Among the main purposes of using social networks, first place goes to following the current agenda and obtaining information — 78.2%.
At the same time, half of the respondents who use social networks do not check at all the reliability of the information they encounter on these platforms.
The results of the public survey show that measures aimed at banning the use of social networks by persons under 16 in the country enjoy broad public support. Respondents believe that the risks associated with social networks cannot be eliminated solely through control at the individual or family level.
At the same time, the survey results show that in terms of public trust in information sources, traditional media — primarily television channels and news websites — occupy a special place.
Note that the public survey was conducted from July 25 to August 2, 2026, using the personal interview method. It involved 1,200 respondents aged 18 and older. The distribution of participants by gender, age group, and economic region was determined in proportion to official statistical indicators, which ensured the representativeness of the sample. The margin of error is ±3%.
