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A comprehensive public opinion survey conducted by the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan has revealed overwhelming public support for the legal prohibition of social media access for children under the age of 16. The survey, which aimed to gauge societal attitudes toward digital regulation and media consumption habits, found that a staggering 88.2% of respondents across the country back the proposed ban. This support is even more pronounced among parents and guardians directly responsible for minors, with 91.2% of those who have children under 16 endorsing the measure. The high level of approval suggests a widespread societal consensus regarding the perceived dangers of unrestricted social media use among the youth, positioning this issue as a significant priority for Azerbaijani families.

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The survey provides critical insights into parental concerns, revealing that the support for the ban is heavily influenced by the perceived detrimental effects of social media on child development. Among respondent households with children under 16, a substantial 67.9% acknowledged that their children actively use social media platforms. More tellingly, a vast majority of the general survey participants—87.5%—expressed the firm belief that children’s engagement with social media has a negative impact on their education and moral upbringing. This perception of harm, particularly regarding academic performance and foundational values, is a driving factor behind the public’s desire for state intervention. The data suggests that families feel overwhelmed by the influence of digital platforms, viewing them as a significant barrier to effective parenting and formal education.

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The survey results go beyond parental supervision to endorse a strong role for the state in overseeing the digital landscape. A remarkable 93.1% of respondents stated that they consider it appropriate and necessary for social media platforms to be regulated by the government. This overwhelming call for state regulation indicates a public sentiment that the risks inherent to social media—ranging from exposure to inappropriate content to potential psychological harm—cannot be sufficiently mitigated through individual vigilance or family-level supervision alone. The consensus appears to be that a structured, legislative approach is essential to create a safe digital environment for minors, reflecting a desire for systemic safeguards rather than purely personal responsibility.

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Beyond the topic of youth access, the survey offers a detailed snapshot of Azerbaijan’s broader media consumption landscape, highlighting the dominant role of social media in daily life. The findings show that 81.8% of the general public relies on social media as their primary source of information, far outpacing other mediums. Television was the second most cited source at 55.9%, followed by news websites at 48.8%. Interestingly, this trend is particularly pronounced among younger demographics, with a striking 94.1% of young people utilizing social media for news and information. This data points to a significant generational shift in media habits where digital platforms have become the central hub for current affairs, overshadowing traditional media in terms of reach, particularly for the youth.

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Despite the overwhelming reliance on social media for information, the survey reveals a significant “trust gap” between different media sources. While social media dominates as the primary source of information, it ranks only third in terms of public trust, with 31.4% of respondents expressing confidence in it. In contrast, traditional media, specifically television, commands the highest level of trust at a substantial 64.6%, followed by news websites at 43.0%. This discrepancy between usage and trust underscores a critical issue: consumers are frequenting social platforms for news, yet they harbor deep skepticism about the veracity of the content found there. The survey further highlighted this concern by indicating that half of all social media users do not verify the accuracy of the information they encounter, leaving them potentially susceptible to misinformation.

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In conclusion, the survey, conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents aged 18 and over between July 25 and August 2, 2026, paints a clear picture of a population that is both heavily reliant on digital media and deeply concerned about its unregulated influence on children. The findings indicate strong public backing for legislative measures to restrict social media access for those under 16, a move seen as a necessary step to protect education and upbringing. Furthermore, the results suggest that while social media has become the dominant information source, traditional media outlets like television and news websites retain a crucial edge in credibility and public trust. This dynamic presents a complex media environment where consumption habits are rapidly modernizing, but trust remains anchored in established, traditional journalistic platforms, highlighting the need for enhanced media literacy across the population.