Turkey Plans Stricter Social Media Rules to Protect Children Online

(MENAFN) Türkiye is advancing plans to impose tighter regulations on children’s use of social media, including age verification measures and increased monitoring, as part of a wider initiative aimed at strengthening family protection in the digital era. According to statements, efforts to introduce new rules for users under the age of 15 have been underway since 2024.

During a discussion in Ankara, the country’s Family and Social Services Minister, Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas, explained that protecting families and children online is a central component of the government’s Family Protection and Strengthening Action Plan. She emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges posed by the growing digital landscape.

“On the one hand, we aim to raise digital literacy awareness among families, but on the other, we will not leave our children at the mercy of algorithms, big companies, and digital and technology firms,” she said. “We know very well that they generate significant profits through these platforms and over our children.”

As outlined in reports, the ministry organized a series of workshops throughout 2024 to tackle digital addiction, involving both parents and children alongside specialists. Additional sessions were also held with a focus on ensuring children’s safety in online environments.

The minister further highlighted behavioral patterns observed among young users, noting that children—especially in gaming contexts—often gravitate toward darker, more dominant characters linked to weapons. In some cases, she warned, they may begin to mirror these identities in real life, a development she described as both notable and troubling.

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