Russian regulator proposes limiting children's online time and introducing age verification on social media

Roskomnadzor, Russia's federal media regulator, has sent the State Duma's information policy committee a bill that would require children to be identified on social networks. The State Duma is the lower house of Russia's parliament. The business daily Vedomosti reported the news, citing a regulator representative who spoke at the committee meeting. The proposal would oblige social platforms to verify users' ages.

The agency also proposed capping the time that children under 14 may spend online. A Roskomnadzor representative said the measure is intended to restrict children's access to banned content.

Interior Ministry concerns

Russia's Interior Ministry said it is worried about children and teenagers being drawn into offenses and crimes via social networks, messaging apps, forums and gaming chats. According to the ministry, the crimes into which children are most often drawn involve acting as "droppers" and giving third parties access to their own accounts.

Earlier steps and international practice

Russia's Digital Development Ministry said back in June that it is considering introducing age verification mechanisms for users of online platforms. The ministry's head, Maksut Shadayev, said it is studying how other countries have handled the issue.

Restrictions on children's and teenagers' access to social media are being discussed around the world. In Australia, a law banning social media for children under 16 has been in effect since late 2025. Similar restrictions are under discussion in the UK and in EU countries, including France and Spain.