Social Media - The Times Of Central Asia

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Diplomatic Protest

Iranian Embassy Posts on Samarkand’s Persian Heritage Spark Uzbek Protest

Uzbekistan has lodged a diplomatic protest with Iran over social media posts describing Samarkand's architecture as part of Persian civilization. The posts targeted United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio. On October 23, Uzbekistan's First Deputy Foreign Minister Bakhromjon Aloyev met with Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Ali Eskandari, who was handed a diplomatic note of protest. Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry described posts published by Iranian diplomatic missions on X as a one-sided and politicized interpretation of Samarkand's history. Tashkent demanded that the posts be removed and that similar incidents be avoided in the future. The dispute followed Rubio's visit to Samarkand on October 19, when he recorded a video in Registan Square highlighting the city's historical role in international trade. Iran's embassy in Armenia described the site where Rubio stood as part of Persian civilization. The embassy in Zimbabwe called Registan's arches a "hallmark of Iranian-Islamic civilization," accusing Rubio of seeking to destroy that heritage. Iran's embassy in Bulgaria also criticized Rubio for disparaging Persian civilization while standing in front of monuments bearing its influence. Earlier, during an October 7 speech in Athens, Rubio recalled the destruction of the Acropolis by the forces of Persian King Xerxes in 480 BCE. He also attacked Iran's current clerical rulers, accusing them of promoting a "cult of death." Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry said that the heritage of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and other historic cities reflects centuries of statehood and cultural development among the Uzbek people. Tashkent objected to the use of the country's history in political disputes between other states. Samarkand has deep ties to the Persian-speaking world. Before the Arab conquest, it was one of the centers of Sogdiana, whose inhabitants spoke a language belonging to the Iranian language family. Persian later became widely used in Central Asian cities, including in literature and scholarship. In the late 14th and early 15th centuries, Samarkand was the capital of Timur's empire. Craftsmen from various regions, including Iran and the historic region of Khorasan, participated in the construction of its monumental buildings. The Registan architectural ensemble was built between the 15th and 17th centuries, combining local artistic traditions with those of the wider Islamic world. The concept of Persian civilization encompasses a cultural area much larger than modern Iran. UNESCO describes Samarkand as a crossroads of cultures, reflecting influences from successive civilizations. The Iranian embassies did not make territorial claims against Uzbekistan; their posts concerned cultural and architectural history. Samarkand's heritage has also been a subject of debate within Central Asia. During the Soviet redrawing of Central Asia's internal borders in 1924, Samarkand and Bukhara became part of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic. Both cities historically had substantial Persian-speaking populations, and Tajik continues to be spoken there today. Historians have also documented Soviet-era pressure on Tajik residents to register as Uzbeks, contributing to longstanding disputes over the cities' ethnic composition. The dispute occurred amid increased U.S. diplomatic engagement in Central Asia. During his visit, Rubio attended a C5+1 meeting with the foreign ministers of the five Central Asian countries. The talks focused on expanding economic...

Child Online Safety

Uzbekistan Weighs Social Media Restrictions for Children Under 16

Uzbekistan is considering introducing legal restrictions on social media use by children under the age of 16, adding its name to a growing list of Central Asian countries debating how to protect minors in the digital age. According to Gazeta.uz, the proposal was announced by Minister of Preschool and School Education E’zozxon Karimova following an event at the ministry on June 26. Speaking to the publication, Karimova said discussions had already taken place with members of parliament and the Senate, and that a draft law could soon be prepared for public consultation. “We are currently thinking about this issue. We have discussed it with our deputies and senators. We want to prepare a draft law and submit it for public discussion. I believe we should also have such regulations,” Karimova said. The proposal comes as governments across the region grapple with concerns over children’s exposure to harmful online content, cyberbullying, and excessive screen time. Karimova stressed that the objective is not to remove smartphones from children’s lives but to encourage responsible use through legal safeguards and stronger enforcement. “We live in the age of technology. We cannot simply take phones away from our children. Of course, they need them. But there should also be a culture and limits to their use,” she said. She noted that Uzbekistan already requires students to leave their phones before entering school and has rules governing student behavior. However, she acknowledged that enforcement remains inconsistent. “These rules work in some places and not in others. We now want to strengthen enforcement and legally restrict children under the age of 16 from using social media,” Karimova added. The debate mirrors similar discussions elsewhere in Central Asia. Earlier this year, The Times of Central Asia reported that Kazakhstan was considering legislative amendments to prohibit children under 16 from registering on social media platforms, while exempting messaging services. Lawmakers in Kazakhstan say the proposals are intended to shield children from harmful content, including violence and pornography, while reducing cyberbullying. According to Kazakhstani officials, approximately 200 cases of bullying and cyberbullying involving children had already been recorded in 2025, prompting calls for tighter regulation. The government has also been exploring age verification mechanisms, including SIM card registration for younger users, alongside expanded digital literacy education in schools. A similar debate emerged in neighboring Tajikistan last year. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, lawmakers proposed banning social media access for children under 14 and requiring written parental consent for teenagers aged 14 to 17. While supporters argued that stricter controls were necessary to protect children from harmful online content, critics maintained that digital literacy, parental involvement, and education would be more effective than blanket restrictions. Uzbekistan has not yet published a draft law, and Karimova indicated that any proposal would first undergo public discussion before being submitted for legislative consideration.

Kazakh Language

How Social Media Is Turning Kazakh Language Into A Form Of Self-Expression for Gen Z

Not long ago, for many of Kazakhstan's urban teenagers, the Kazakh language sounded like something between a school subject, a family obligation, and an official norm. They studied it, took tests in it, heard it in classrooms, in the news, and in the speech of older generations. But on TikTok, Instagram, and Threads, Kazakh is increasingly living a different life: as the language of memes, stories, self-irony, flirting, debates, local humor, and personal expression. It is no longer only a question of: “Do you know Kazakh?” For Generation Z, another question is becoming more important: “Can you be yourself in Kazakh?” Social media, fast, visual, and sometimes chaotic, has become the space where the Kazakh language stops being merely a symbol of “correctness” and turns into a tool for self-expression. According to DataReportal’s Digital 2026: Kazakhstan report, Instagram in Kazakhstan had an advertising reach of 13.1 million users in late 2025, while TikTok reached 16.9 million users aged 18 and older. TikTok’s ad reach was equivalent to 86.5% of the local internet audience. These figures do not equal the exact number of active users, but they show the scale of the platforms where young people today see, hear, and produce language. From “I have to know it” to “I want to speak it” The Kazakh language in Kazakhstan has long been growing both demographically and symbolically. According to the 2021 census, more than 13 million people, or around 80% of the population over the age of five, know the state language, while almost half of the population uses it daily. But there is a large gap between “knowing a language” and using it in one’s personal digital life. Social media is helping to close that gap. On Instagram, a teenager can follow a page with memes about grammar. On Threads, they can write a post about feeling shy speaking Kazakh in Almaty, and suddenly see hundreds of similar stories. This is where the shift lies. In the digital environment, Kazakh is no longer only a language of assessment. It is becoming a language of process: living, not always perfect, but personal. Instagram: grammar as visual style One of the most visible examples is Qazaq Grammar. The project grew around Instagram and has done something that once seemed almost impossible: turning linguistic rules and nuances into visual, meme-like content. Its Instagram page has quickly amassed more than 89,900 followers. Qazaq Grammar matters precisely because of its digital format. It does not try to replace a textbook, but it makes the language part of the everyday feed. A user may not sit down specifically to “study Kazakh,” but they may come across a post about a common mistake, send it to a friend, or remember the rule while texting. In this way, grammar stops feeling like a chore and becomes a small fragment of daily content. The project’s feed includes explanations of common mistakes, word usage, Kazakh orthography, humorous observations about mixed speech, and posts about how the language is changing in...

TCA Interviews

From Almaty to Bali: Two Cyclists from Kazakhstan on Their Bicycle Journey

Alina and Maksim Pak, a young married couple from Almaty, have spent several months cycling from Kazakhstan to the Indonesian island of Bali, a journey of more than 8,000 kilometers across multiple borders. Their daily updates on Instagram have drawn widespread attention, turning them into social media personalities. The Times of Central Asia spoke with them about how they embarked on the journey, the challenges they faced, and how the experience has changed them. TCA: Cycling from Almaty to Bali sounds bold. Do you remember the moment when the idea became a plan? Who initiated it? Maksim: It’s been my dream since childhood back when I used to ride a BMX bike. I thought about it a lot, but it always seemed impossible. Then one day I realized: if not now, then when? Alina initially thought it was a joke, but eventually I convinced her. We mapped out the route in just three or four days, and preparation took 45 days. We found sponsors, posted videos every day, learned blogging along the way, and gradually gained support from people. [caption id="attachment_48398" align="aligncenter" width="225"] @instagram.com/alina_pakk[/caption] TCA: Were you scared at all? Alina: Very much so. But not on the road, at the beginning, during preparation. We had almost nothing, no proper gear, no clear plan, no certainty that it would work. It felt like we physically wouldn’t even be able to start, too many “buts” and too few resources. But every day we sat down and visualized how we would travel, what we would eat, who we would meet. The fear was there, yes. That’s exactly why we went. If it’s not scary, then the goal isn’t big enough. TCA: What does a typical day on the road look like? Are all days different? Maksim: Our routine formed quite quickly. We wake up around 7 a.m., nature doesn’t let you sleep longer, especially when the tent is in the sun. We have breakfast, pack up, and by 9 a.m., we’re already cycling. The first stretch is about three hours, then we take a mandatory lunch break and rest for an hour or so, otherwise the body doesn’t recover. After that, we ride again until 5 or 6 p.m., depending on how we feel and the road conditions. When we find a place to stop, we set up the tent, and then the second shift begins: we work, editing videos and replying to messages. The day ends around 10 p.m. And yet every day is completely different, new cities, new people, new landscapes. It never gets boring. TCA: You’ve already cycled through China, Vietnam, Thailand, and are now in Malaysia. Which country surprised you the most? Are people the same everywhere? Maksim: Honestly, every country surprised us in its own way. It’s impossible to single one out. In some places it’s the nature, in others the food, in others the way people treat strangers. Overall, people are very similar everywhere, despite different languages and cultures. Everyone has the same concerns, work, family,...

Chess

Beyond the Magnus Selfie: Kazakhstan’s Alua Nurman Climbs the Chess Ranks

Kazakhstani chess player Alua Nurman attracted attention on social media after taking a selfie with top-ranked Magnus Carlsen at a tournament. However, some chess analysts suggest that greater attention should be paid to her recent success on the board. This year, 18-year-old Nurman was awarded the International Master (IM) title by FIDE, the international governing body of chess. She previously held the lower-ranking Woman Grandmaster title. Nurman delivered strong performances at the Prague International Chess Festival in late February and early March, and again at the Agzamov Memorial tournament in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where she defeated American grandmaster Brandon Jacobson, whose classical chess rating is about 2,590. Her rating has increased by around 65 points to more than 2,440 as a result of her recent results. The International Master title requires a rating of at least 2,400. “Alua didn't just take a selfie w/ Magnus, she also earned the IM title, had the best tournament performance of her career, got her highest-rated win ever, & became No. 1 in the girls' junior rankings!” Women’s Chess Coverage, a social media account focused on women’s chess, said on X. FIDE defines juniors as players under 20. Nurman is Kazakhstan’s second-ranked female chess player after Bibisara Asaubayeva, who is currently competing in the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament in Cyprus. The selfie was taken on April 2, just before Nurman and Carlsen played at the Grenke Freestyle Chess Open in Karlsruhe, Germany. Nurman asked for a selfie, and Carlsen obliged. The Kazakhstani player then put her phone in her bag. After a moment, Carlsen got up and told a tournament official that Nurman had a phone, and it was confiscated for the duration of the game. FIDE generally prohibits players from having electronic communication devices during matches because of concerns about cheating. The selfie incident occurred before the start of the match, which the Norwegian won. Nurman was delighted with the experience of playing Carlsen, who is widely considered one of the best chess players of all time. “Dream come true!!” she said on Instagram. It was, Nurman added, a “truly enjoyable game.”

Internet Regulation

Kazakhstan Plans to Introduce Social Media Monitoring

Kazakhstan plans to introduce a system for monitoring the information space in order to identify illegal online content. This was reported by the country’s Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA). The agency has drafted rules on monitoring the information space aimed at detecting unlawful content, including on the internet, and enabling subsequent measures to restrict access to it. The draft document has been published on the Open Regulatory Acts portal. According to the proposal, monitoring would cover information published in open sources, including websites, social networks, messaging platforms, mass media outlets, and other information and communication channels. The Financial Monitoring Agency would be responsible for carrying out the monitoring. If unlawful content is identified, the agency would be able to initiate further response measures. “If the posting of illegal content is established, the authorized financial monitoring body, within the limits of its competence and in the presence of signs of a criminal offense, shall take the measures provided for by the country’s criminal procedure legislation,” the document states. If no signs of a criminal offense are found, the materials would be forwarded to other authorized bodies in order to hold the authors administratively liable. In both cases, if criminal or administrative violations are identified and the materials fall under restrictions established by Kazakhstan’s legislation or by court decisions that have entered into force, the agency would notify the authorized body responsible for mass media regulation. Following such notification, a decision could be made to block the relevant content. These notifications would be transmitted through the state information system. The draft rules were prepared on the basis of subparagraph 15 of Article 16 of the Law “On the Prevention of Offenses,” adopted on December 30, 2025. The new regulations are expected to take effect once the relevant normative legal act enters into force. According to the Financial Monitoring Agency, the introduction of the monitoring system is intended to improve the effectiveness of crime prevention in the digital environment. The rules are also expected to establish a clearer mechanism for interagency cooperation in identifying and restricting illegal online content. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kazakhstan outperformed several post-Soviet countries in the 2026 global internet freedom ranking published by the research agency Cloudwards, although within Central Asia it ranked behind Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.