Türkiye blocks Discord: Role in child exploitation, incel communities revealed

Discord, a widely-used communication platform, has come under intense scrutiny in Türkiye following revelations about its role in supporting dangerous online communities, particularly those tied to misogyny, violence and child exploitation.

On October 9, 2024, the Turkish government blocked access to Discord after it was discovered that the platform had been used by members of incel groups, who glorified the recent murders of two young women in Istanbul.

Discord used by incel groups sparks outrage after brutal killings in Istanbul

Discord, originally designed for gamers, has become a hub for extremist groups, including incels (involuntary celibates). These groups often express anger toward women, blaming them for their personal failures in relationships.

Incel communities are known to spread misogynistic content, and in Türkiye, these ideologies reached a new level of notoriety after the violent murders of Aysenur Halil and Ikbal Uzuner on October 4, 2024.

Nineteen-year-old Semih Celik, who murdered both women within the same day, was found to be an active member of these incel forums. He first attacked Halil in her home in the Eyupsultan district, slitting her throat.

Shortly after, he decapitated Uzuner near the Edirnekapi city walls and threw her severed head in front of her mother. These shocking crimes triggered protests across the country, with women’s rights organizations leading the charge.

Türkiye blocks Discord as concerns grow over its role in incel culture, child exploitation

The Turkish government responded swiftly to the mounting concerns about Discord’s role in facilitating violent online communities. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that Türkiye had blocked access to the platform after determining that it had been used to share harmful content related to child exploitation, sexual abuse and incel-related violence.

“We are determined to protect our youth and children, the guarantee of our future, from harmful and illegal content on social media,” Minister Tunc said, explaining the court’s decision to block Discord.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that authorities had arrested two minors who were moderators of a Discord group promoting violent content. “These forums are breeding grounds for toxic ideas,” Yerlikaya said, adding that the investigation would continue to target other dangerous online groups.

Discord has long been criticized for its anonymity and the lack of oversight within private servers, which has allowed extremist communities to flourish. This has made it difficult for law enforcement agencies to monitor and prevent harmful activities. Although Discord has introduced safety measures, critics argue that the platform has not done enough to control the spread of dangerous ideologies.

Incel culture, its growing influence in Türkiye

Incel culture, which is centered on deep resentment toward women, has been a growing concern worldwide and in Türkiye. Members of these communities believe they are unjustly deprived of romantic and sexual relationships, often blaming women for their frustrations.

The ideology, which is rooted in misogyny, has gained notoriety worldwide due to its association with mass violence, including the 2014 Isla Vista killings in California and the 2018 Toronto van attack.

In Türkiye, incel forums have mirrored these global trends, with users regularly discussing hypergamy (the belief that women only date men of higher status) and glorifying violent figures like Elliot Rodger, the perpetrator of the Isla Vista massacre. Following the murders of Halil and Uzuner, police began monitoring these forums more closely.

Researchers, such as Harvard’s Miriam Lindner, have studied the psychological roots of incel ideology. She has found that these online communities foster feelings of isolation and entitlement, which can lead to dangerous outcomes. “The more these men feel rejected by society, the more likely they are to adopt violent fantasies,” Lindner explained.

Türkiye blocks Discord as platform faces global challenges

Türkiye’s decision to block Discord is part of a larger global debate on the responsibilities of social media platforms. Discord has faced similar challenges in other countries, including Russia, where authorities also blocked the platform for failing to comply with laws aimed at preventing the spread of extremist content.

Discord’s decentralized nature, where users can create private servers, has made it an attractive space for extremist groups and illegal activities.

The platform’s ability to allow anonymity has enabled incel communities to operate freely, which has raised concerns about how such platforms contribute to real-world violence. Despite implementing new safety features, Discord continues to struggle with moderating content across its vast network of servers. Law enforcement agencies have called for more cooperation from the platform to help identify users who engage in illegal activities.

In Türkiye, the blocking of Discord is seen as a necessary step to curb the influence of incel culture and protect vulnerable users. However, women’s rights organizations continue to demand more concrete actions from the government. Activists argue that legal reforms, including the reinstatement of the Istanbul Convention, are needed to protect women from gender-based violence.