Baku, August 23 — Videos of underage children engaged in inappropriate dances and dialogues have recently gone viral across Azerbaijani social media platforms, sparking outrage and urgent calls for action. What many users describe as “entertainment content” is increasingly being seen by experts as blatant child exploitation for clicks, likes, and views.
Footage shows children performing vulgar movements under the guise of dancing, or participating in staged conversations far beyond their age. Experts warn this not only violates children’s rights but also normalizes their objectification for online popularity.
Legal concerns
Lawyer Emil Aslanov told Oxu.az that such videos may directly breach Azerbaijan’s laws. According to the Constitution, children cannot be engaged in activities harmful to their health, development, or education. “If children under 15 are being used in such content, this constitutes illegal labor,” Aslanov stressed, noting that fines of up to 5,000 manats can be applied to legal entities.
State reaction
The State Committee for Family, Women and Children’s Issues emphasized that such content distorts children’s values, fosters harmful behavioral patterns, and can even cause trauma. “Sharing unethical videos of children paves the way for child exploitation and, in some cases, risks fueling pedophilia,” the committee said.
Psychological risks
Psychologist Ruhiya Rustamova underlined the long-term harm:
“Children imitate what they see online. They tie their self-worth to likes and comments, which breeds emotional dependence and low self-esteem. This can cause deep psychological wounds in adulthood. Parents must actively monitor their children’s digital lives and teach them safe, healthy media use.”
Ombudsman’s office also reminded that children’s dignity and privacy must always take priority: “No content should ever compromise a child’s safety or fundamental rights.”
This story is not just about social media trends — it’s about a generation at risk. Turning children into tools for clicks is not harmless fun; it’s exploitation that society must confront head-on.
