Türkiye moves to regulate social media and digital platforms for children under 16
A child trying to have their tablet PC taken away by a parent. (Getty Images)
The Turkish government is working on new regulations to address the increasing concerns surrounding children’s use of social media and digital gaming platforms. Aimed at protecting the well-being of children, the proposed legislation will focus on children under 16, taking into account their physical and mental development.
The Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas, announced that the Ministry is currently drafting a legal framework that will regulate social media and digital game platforms for younger users. “We are preparing legislation that will regulate social media and digital platforms specifically for children under 16,” Goktas stated during a parliamentary budget session. “We are considering their physical and mental growth in this process.”
Türkiye joins a growing number of countries, such as Australia, Spain, and the United States, which have introduced similar measures to limit children’s exposure to online content. In Türkiye, the government is creating a national model by collaborating with experts and holding workshops with educators, psychologists, and child development specialists.
The initiative is designed to protect children from potential harms associated with excessive or inappropriate digital consumption, such as cyberbullying, online predators, and mental health issues. As part of this effort, officials are gathering feedback from parents and child welfare experts to ensure that the new regulations are comprehensive and effective.
