Kazakhstan may require parents to buy special SIM cards for children

Tengrinews.kz - Kazakhstan may introduce special children's SIM cards as part of an initiative proposed by the Ministry of Education.
According to Vice Minister of Education Edil Ospan, these SIM cards would function as a special mobile plan designed for children and teenagers. They would include built-in filters preventing access to certain websites and online content, aiming to enhance child safety.

"The introduction of children's SIM cards is currently under discussion with relevant government bodies. We have already included this initiative in a draft comprehensive plan. We believe mobile operators should produce SIM cards specifically for children, and parents will be required to purchase them for their kids," Ospan stated at a press briefing.

The vice minister noted that the Ministry of Education has studied international practices, where similar SIM cards come with special tariffs and filtering systems.

"We understand that most information is now accessed online via smartphones and SIM cards. This initiative will act as a safety filter for children," Ospan added.

It remains unclear when these SIM cards will become available, as authorities are still working on the necessary technological aspects.
According to the vice minister, mobile operators in Kazakhstan currently offer special tariffs for children, primarily for educational resources, but they do not ensure online safety controls.
Key features of children's SIM cards:

Parental control – Parents can monitor how their child uses the phone.
Safety – Built-in filters block inappropriate content.
Geolocation – Parents can track their child's location via a mobile app.

Last year, Kazakhstan considered limiting the sale of SIM cards, with a proposal from the Ministry of Digital Development to cap the number of SIM cards per person at 10. However, that idea is still under review.