New Partnership to Advance Children’s Online Safety in Armenia

Yerevan,15 December - The Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, and the Izmirlian Charitable Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to strengthen children’s online safety and enhance digital literacy across Armenia, followed by an agreement signed between UNICEF country office in Armenia and Izmirlian Charitable Foundation to reduce children’s and adolescents’ exposure to online risks and harm.

Minister Hayrapetyan emphasized that the trilateral cooperation reflects months of coordinated efforts and addresses the growing risks posed by rapid technological advancements. “The state’s primary responsibility is not only to respond to technological developments but to anticipate emerging cyber threats. Building a safe digital environment requires joint efforts that unite the capacities of government, education, and partner institutions,” he noted, highlighting the importance of cyber literacy, media literacy, and cyber hygiene.

Minister Andreasyan underscored that cybersecurity is among the most pressing challenges of the modern era. “Alongside risk assessment, we must integrate technology into education thoughtfully and purposefully. Technological literacy is no longer optional - it is essential,” she said.

UNICEF Representative in Armenia Christine Weigand placed great importance in the joint agreement, noting that digital technologies are an inseparable part of the lives of children and adolescents, providing them with new opportunities but also creating new risks. "Cross-sectoral and coordinated partnership is essential to address children's safety online and create a safe digital environment for all," she said. “This requires multisectoral engagement and the partnerships signed today will be instrumental in moving this agenda forward. UNICEF has been working with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport on digital education and skills, and we have similarly been working with the Ministry of High-Tech Industry to develop a roadmap on child safety online as a framework outlining the main directions of the Government reforms in this area. We are excited to also partner with Izmirlian Charitable Foundation in this collective effort.”

From 2025 to 2028, with support from Izmirlian Charitable Foundation, UNICEF will work with the Government and key partners to develop and adopt legal frameworks regulating online safety of children, increase societal awareness of online risks, enhance capacities of children, parents and professionals to navigate the digital world confidently, as well as promote a hotline-helpline where children, adolescents and their parents can report issues and receive specialized guidance.

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Note for editors:

To strengthen efforts in ensuring online safety and protecting children, an interdepartmental working group was established by Order No. 865-A of the Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia on April 25, 2025.

The working group is chaired by the Minister of High-Tech Industry and brings together Deputy Ministers and representatives from key government bodies, including:

• Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Justice
• Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports
• Ministry of Internal Affairs
• Office of the Human Rights Defender

This collaborative approach aims to coordinate policies and actions that safeguard children in the digital environment.