Russia Proposes New SIM Card “Kids Mode” to Protect Children Online
A new initiative aims to block scammers and harmful content before it ever reaches a child’s phone.
Russia is taking a new step toward child safety in the digital space with a proposal to introduce a special SIM card mode designed specifically for minors. The idea, presented by Artem Sheikin, deputy chair of the Council for the Development of the Digital Economy under the Federation Council, would allow a child’s phone to function only with pre-approved contacts and verified websites.
Teaching Digital Responsibility Early
The proposal would complement existing parental control tools like smartphone “kids modes,” which limit app downloads and filter messages. But experts note that control at the SIM card level would offer a deeper layer of protection — one that works regardless of the device or operating system.
The initiative underscores how Russia’s digital transformation is increasingly focused not only on technological progress, but also on social safeguards. With online safety for children becoming a global concern, the country’s “smart SIM” proposal reflects a growing recognition that digital literacy and protection must evolve together.
