Turkey’s parliament has passed a bill that will block children under 15 from using social media platforms, marking one of the country’s strongest steps yet to control online access for minors after recent violent incidents raised concerns about digital exposure.
AP reports that lawmakers approved the legislation shortly after two deadly school shootings, including a recent attack in Kahramanmaras, where a 14-year-old killed several students and a teacher, and authorities later arrested more than 160 people for sharing disturbing footage online.
The bill now moves to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has 15 days to approve it before it becomes law, and he has already described social media platforms as harmful spaces that negatively influence young users.
The proposed law forces platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to block account creation for users under 15, while also introducing strict age verification systems and stronger parental control tools to manage children’s activity.
At the same time, companies must respond quickly to harmful content, while online gaming services face similar rules and must appoint local representatives to comply with regulations, with penalties including fines and reduced internet bandwidth if they fail to follow the law.
Part of a wider global shift
This move reflects a growing global trend, as countries like Australia and Indonesia already enforce similar limits, while others across Europe continue to debate tighter rules to protect children from online risks such as harmful content, cyberbullying, and addiction.
Turkey’s latest action shows how governments are moving faster to control digital access for younger users as concerns over safety and mental health continue to rise.
