Can kids be safe online?

Today, children's use of the Internet and social networks comes with many risks. A 2018 UNICEF study showed that over 175,000 children go online for the first time every day. This number has likely grown in the past seven years. Since many parents are busy with work and can't closely monitor their children, kids are often left unprotected from harmful content and false information.

In March 2024, the WHO Regional Office for Europe published a study called “Behavior of School-Aged Children.” It looked at different types of violence and bullying among adolescents in 44 countries and territories. The study found that while bullying at school has stayed mostly the same since 2018, cyberbullying has increased. This rise is linked to the growing use of digital communication among teenagers, which can seriously harm their well-being. Experts say these findings show the need for special programs involving students, teachers, and parents, as well as better laws to improve media literacy and online safety for adolescents.

Today’s youth spend at least six hours a day online. Because of this, any increase in bullying or violence can seriously affect the health and lives of thousands of teenagers. This is not just a health concern—it is also a human rights issue. That’s why strong action is needed to protect children both on the internet and in real life. So, what steps are being taken in Uzbekistan to address this?

For reference, between 2018 and 2022, cyberbullying cases among boys rose from 11% to 14%, and among girls, from 7% to 9%.