In Turkey, a bill has been passed that prohibits children under 15 from creating accounts on social media.
Source: “Bukvy”
The decision was made following a tragic incident on April 15, when a 14-year-old teenager in the city of Kahramanmaraş carried out a school shooting, killing nine students and a teacher. The attacker also died. Police are investigating his online activity to determine the motive for the crime.
The bill still needs to be signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It includes mandatory age verification for users, the introduction of parental control mechanisms, and rapid response requirements for platforms regarding harmful content.
The restrictions will apply to platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. They will be required to block registration for users under 15 and provide additional tools for parental supervision.
Companies operating in the online gaming sector will also be required to appoint representatives in Turkey to ensure compliance with the new rules. Violations may result in fines and possible internet speed restrictions.
The opposition criticized the initiative, stating that child protection should be based on child-rights policies rather than bans.