Two Turkish minors in custody after offensive posts on Telegram, Discord

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced Wednesday that two children who made inappropriate posts on Telegram and Discord will provide statements to a public prosecutor, with the assistance of a psychologist amid a government crackdown on cyberbullying and efforts to create a safer digital environment for children.

Yerlikaya announced via his social media account that one child, identified for editing videos with criminal content on Discord and another who posted ‘child pornography, insults to police, and derogatory remarks about religious values’ in a Telegram group called ‘Hz Ebu Cehil,’ have been taken into custody by Cyber Crime Department teams in Izmir.

He further stated that the public prosecutor would take both children’s statements with the assistance of a psychologist.

“We will not tolerate those who undermine our national and spiritual values, incite hatred and hostility among the public, or engage in cyberbullying that leads to sexual abuse. Those who exploit our children for their wicked and perverse thoughts will be caught and brought to justice, no matter where they hide,” he added.