Turkiye MPs pass bill to restrict social media use for children under 15 | News
Turkish Lawmakers Approve Bill to Restrict Social Media Access for Minors
Published: April 23, 2026
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish lawmakers have approved legislation aimed at restricting access to social media platforms for children under the age of 15, state media reported. This action reflects a broader global effort to safeguard young people from harmful online activities.
The new law comes in the wake of a tragic incident in Kahramanmaras, where a 14-year-old boy killed nine students and a teacher in a school shooting. Authorities are examining the perpetrator’s online activities to determine the motivations behind the attack.
The legislation mandates social media platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, to implement age-verification systems and parental controls. Companies will also be required to address harmful content promptly. According to the Anadolu news agency, failure to comply could result in penalties, including fines and reductions in internet bandwidth imposed by Turkey’s communications regulatory body.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has 15 days to sign the bill into law. He has emphasized the need to address online risks to children’s safety and privacy, describing current social media environments as detrimental to youth.
“The digital platforms have, to put it bluntly, become cesspools corrupting our children’s minds,” Erdogan said during a televised address following the Kahramanmaras incident.
The proposal has faced criticism from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), which argues that protecting children should focus on rights-based policies rather than restrictions.
Similar measures have emerged globally, particularly in Australia, which began restricting access for minors in December 2025. The Australian government reported that around 4.7 million accounts belonging to children were closed in this effort. More recently, Indonesia has implemented regulations banning access to digital platforms for those under 16, citing risks such as cyberbullying and online addiction.
Countries including Spain, France, and the United Kingdom are also considering restrictions on children’s access to social media as concerns about the impacts of unregulated content continue to grow.
