Discussions on activating YouTube Kids in Armenia are currently underway as authorities, educators, and international partners increase efforts to improve digital literacy and strengthen children’s online safety. 

Ensuring minors’ safety on the internet has become a shared responsibility not only for families, but also for educational institutions, state bodies, and society as a whole.

Georgi Khachatryan, Head of the Professional Methodological Support Department of the Community Police Main Directorate under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, told Armenpress in an interview that minors in Armenia most often fall victim online to crimes targeting sexual inviolability.

Risks facing children online include cyberbullying, personal data leaks, harmful content, and online scams.

“Given the rapid development of information technologies in recent years, we saw an upward trend in such crimes between 2022 and 2024, but in 2025 we have recorded a decline. In 2024, there were nine registered cases that led to criminal proceedings, while in 2025 there were five cases,” he said.

Khachatryan noted that minors often do not even realize they are being subjected to some form of abuse or exploitation online.

As part of efforts to combat online crime, the main focus of outreach work with minors and their legal guardians during the 2025–2026 academic year has been the topic of creating a “Safe Online Environment,” which he described as highly relevant today.

He added that police are also working with parents to raise awareness of online risks facing children. The cybercrime unit operates a hotline for reporting concerns and is active on social media platforms, particularly Telegram, where it regularly shares online safety information.

In the field of children’s online protection, at the initiative of Armenia’s Ministry of High-Tech Industry, the Armenian office of UNICEF has developed a draft roadmap on the protection of children’s rights in the online environment.

The ministry is in contact with representatives of Meta, TikTok, and Roblox to expand awareness in Armenia about safety tools designed for minors. At the same time, discussions are underway with YouTube regarding the activation of YouTube Kids in the country, the ministry told Armenpress.

On December 15, 2025, Armenia’s Ministry of High-Tech Industry, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, and the “Izmirlian” charitable foundation signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding, emphasizing joint efforts by state, educational, and civil institutions to create a safe digital environment, as well as the development of legislative solutions and awareness programs.

In addition, a funding agreement was signed between UNICEF and the “Izmirlian” foundation, under which work is now underway to form an expert group. The group will conduct research and present concrete proposals on legal and practical mechanisms for ensuring children’s protection in the online environment in Armenia.

“Social networks and gaming platforms in Armenia are the main environments for the sexual exploitation and abuse of children. According to UNICEF data, around 9,000 children in Armenia are affected by such abuse annually, with 71% of cases occurring exclusively online. Children are particularly vulnerable to AI-generated content and chatbots, as their cognitive abilities are still developing,” the ministry stated.

According to Tamara Sargsyan, Head of the General Education Department at Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, issues related not only to children’s online safety but also to digital literacy in today’s digital world are a priority for the ministry.

She said the most important step is that, starting from the second grade, students now study a new subject under updated standards called “Digital Literacy and Computer Science.” Previously, “Informatics” was taught only from the seventh grade, mainly focusing on learning computer programs and basic computer use, but now students begin developing broader skills at an earlier age.

The Head of the General Education Department said there is also an interagency media literacy strategy, under which schools run clubs, implement various programs, and organize competitions that help students learn different mechanisms.

She noted that some families do not properly monitor what content children consume or how they use technology, stressing the importance of children learning to understand devices and identify risks. She also highlighted the importance of regular teacher training.

Sargsyan added that work is underway to provide access to artificial intelligence accounts in schools, and once introduced, they will be accompanied by training so that schools are prepared both to use AI and to recognize content created with it.

Psychologist Ani Apitonyan notes that any form of online violence has a significant impact on the mental health of minors. She says children often become victims of cyberbullying but are afraid to speak up about it.

She emphasizes the importance of open and warm parent–child relationships, explaining that children often stay silent out of fear of punishment or being blamed. Apitonyan also highlights that excessive parental control can backfire, causing children to become more secretive.

She advises parents to take an active interest in their children’s online activities, including games and social media, and to listen without criticism. She adds that internet addiction can lead to aggressive or withdrawn behavior in children.

“The child may become emotional or withdrawn, and at the same time may also show aggression or experience feelings of guilt where there is no need for it. This indicates that something has changed in the child’s life, and the parent should simply ask the child to talk about it and say that they will understand them. In that case, the child will trust the parent,” added Apitonyan.