Turkey considers strict social media rules for minors

The Turkish government is moving forward with proposals to restrict social media access for minors, a development that mirrors efforts by several other countries worldwide but adds new layers of specificity and concern.

In a move designed to combat potential threats to children’s safety and well-being online, President Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party has submitted a draft law. Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas recently confirmed the bill would include measures like age verification systems, content filters, and restrictions on social media use for minors until they reach ages 16 or 18.

The parliamentary commission report proposes an array of preventive measures, including real-time monitoring of video games and toys designed with AI functionality to detect harmful material. Furthermore, it recommends night-time internet curfews for minors under 18 years old and prohibits social media for those younger than 16.

This latest move comes after Australia became the first country to ban access to major social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook for children under 16. In Spain, similar legislation is being considered, as well as in Greece and Slovenia where concerns over the impact on child health and safety are mounting.

The Turkish proposal extends this trend with stricter enforcement measures, such as mandatory content filters until age 18, a blanket ban until age 16, and strict night-time internet use restrictions for minors. Senior AKP lawmaker Harun Mertoglu emphasized the necessity of these controls: “We need to protect our kids from moral erosion; we aim to shield them from all types of addictions, including those related to digital platforms.”

Concerns have been raised by parents about their children’s reliance on social media and gaming. Shopkeeper Belma Kececioglu noted how her 10-year-old son frequently spends hours online and in games. “It’s like kids are all addicted to social media, and now we’re even more concerned with the harmful content they consume,” she said.

Social media giants have expressed reservations about bans for minors, citing challenges posed by weak age-verification systems and fears that such restrictions might push children toward unregulated platforms instead. Turkey already has strict regulations in place; as of 2024, access to approximately 1.2 million web pages was restricted due to copyright violations or other issues.

These measures align with existing regulations where social media companies face severe consequences for non-compliance, including ad bans, bandwidth reductions, and fines up to three percent of their global revenue. Notable sites like Roblox, Discord, and Wattpad have already been banned in Turkey since 2024.