Russia does not intend to introduce restrictions on children's access to social networks. The second package of anti-fraud measures, adopted in June 2026, allowed operators to introduce additional protection for children's SIM cards only at the initiative and with the consent of parents. At the same time, children may be prohibited from receiving SMS mailings.

It is expected that the ban on operators sending advertising mailings and SMS to children's numbers will reduce the risk of fraud against minors, theft of their personal data, sale of accounts, and the use of social engineering methods often employed by attackers.

The Ministry of Digital Development proposes a number of innovations:

• not to send short text messages intended for identification and/or authentication to subscribers under 18 years of age, with the exception of messages from the state information system;
• prohibit a minor subscriber from calling foreign numbers;
• prohibit a child from receiving communication services in roaming in foreign countries;
• with consent, provide information security services for children to a minor subscriber, and more.

An exception is made for authorization SMS messages sent by state information systems, as additional protection is already in place in this case. For example, a code from "Gosuslugi" does not arrive during a phone call.

Protection from cybercriminals is especially important for such a vulnerable category as children, emphasized the Ministry of Digital Development of Russia. The second package of measures to combat cyber fraud pays special attention to this area. At the same time, citizens' rights are necessarily taken into account, and a balance between security and user interests is maintained.

Any restrictions for children's SIM cards are applied exclusively by parental decision and serve for additional online safety of minors, the department added.