Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, said legislation alone will not solve the problem of children’s social media use, commenting on a possible ban for those under 16.

Shermatov spoke at the World Summit “Investing in Child Well-Being” in Samarkand. He said technology offers children new learning opportunities but also risks, including excessive screen time, too little physical activity and unhealthy eating.

“If we adopt a law, it doesn’t mean all problems will be solved the next day. Even in countries that have imposed such restrictions, the problem has not been fully solved,” he said.

He said no universal solution exists and called for organizational measures alongside any restrictions. A roadmap should be drawn up based on the summit’s discussions and experts’ recommendations, after which ministries and agencies should improve their work, he said.

Asked how many minors in Uzbekistan use the internet, Shermatov gave no statistics. He said gadget use among children is now universal and some parents hand phones to small children to calm them.

“This is an issue the whole of society must work on,” he said.

In June 2026, Ezozkhon Karimova, then minister of preschool and school education, said her ministry was considering drafting a bill to restrict social media use by children under 16. She said the idea had been discussed with Legislative Chamber MPs and senators, and that a bill would be prepared and put up for public discussion.

Karimova said children cannot be cut off from phones entirely but that a culture of responsible use is needed.