Turkey Implements National Ban on Children’s Social Media Use
On Wednesday, Turkey’s parliament enacted a significant national ban regarding social media usage among children. This move aligns with similar trends initiated in Australia.
As of December 2025, Turkey has prohibited all social media platforms targeting individuals under the age of 15 from operating without stringent age verification procedures. This law also extends to online gaming platforms, which frequently incorporate social media features.
The new regulations place the onus on both social media and gaming platforms to establish effective age verification systems. Additionally, they must clarify the law’s complexities for users, develop “user-friendly” parental control tools, and refrain from misleading advertising.
Companies involved in online gaming are mandated to appoint a compliance officer based in Turkey. Those who do not adhere to the new regulations face potential fines and restrictions on their internet bandwidth.
In a somewhat cautious framing, the Turkish legislation does not label the measures as a “ban” but positions the initiative as a directive for social media companies to create “safe digital spaces” for young users.
Critics have quickly noted the underlying strictness of this approach, highlighting that Turkey has a history of stringent social media regulation. For instance, there were significant restrictions imposed during protests last year supporting jailed opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu.
The timing of the parliamentary vote, occurring just a week after a tragic school shooting where a 14-year-old killed nine students and a teacher in southern Turkey, has sparked discussions in various media outlets.
Authorities are investigating the social media activities of the shooter, who is believed to have died by suicide. Reports suggest he had referenced California mass murderer Elliot Rodger in his online profile.
Just a day prior to the shooting in Kahramanmaraş, another tragic incident unfolded when a 19-year-old former student entered a high school in a nearby town and injured 16 people with a hunting rifle before reportedly taking his own life.
In response to the recent uptick in violence, Turkish authorities have arrested over 83 individuals and banned more than 1,000 social media accounts for allegedly “glorifying crime and criminals.”
In a televised statement earlier this week, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized digital sharing applications for their detrimental effects on children, calling social media platforms “cesspools.” His remarks suggest he is likely to sign the bill into law within the next 15 days.
Numerous medical professionals and academics have stressed the necessity of allowing children adequate time to cultivate their identities and develop digital literacy skills before being exposed to the challenges of social media. One expert noted, “This regulation is an important step to provide a protective barrier until children reach an age when they are developmentally ready.”
