Turkish minister calls for social media regulations to protect minors

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu has called for urgent legal measures to protect minors from the harms of social media, highlighting the increasing need for regulations.

Uraloglu’s remarks came during the presentation of his ministry’s 2025 Central Government Budget Bill to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM).

Addressing dangers of social media

Minister Uraloglu expressed concerns over issues such as misinformation, cyberbullying, and child exploitation on social media platforms.

• Over 66% of Türkiye’s population uses social media, with daily internet usage exceeding the global average.
• Uraloglu stressed that the digital world fosters behaviors that pressure children to remain online for popularity and views.

“We face a significant social threat. Countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia have implemented various measures to address this issue, ranging from restrictions to outright bans,” he said.

Uraloglu emphasized the need for a shift in perspective towards digital literacy and called for new legal frameworks to regulate social media platforms.

Proposals for new regulations

The proposed legal measures aim to:

• Increase accountability for internet service providers and social media platforms.
• Enhance monitoring and control over harmful content targeting children under 16.

Uraloglu stated that his ministry is collaborating with the Ministries of Family, Justice, and Interior to draft comprehensive regulations. “We expect our esteemed Parliament to enact the necessary laws to ensure a safer future for our children and youth,” he added.