Turkey is advancing legislation that could significantly tighten controls on children’s access to social media, including a ban on users under 16, compulsory age verification, aggressive content filtering and even limits on night-time internet use for under-18s.

According to a recent parliamentary report, the draft law expected to be tabled soon by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ruling AK Party also calls for faster removal of harmful content and closer scrutiny of digital platforms, including video games and AI-enabled toys.

Supporters, including senior AKP lawmaker Harun Mertoğlu, argue the measures are vital to protect children from addiction, cyberbullying and moral harm, while critics warn the policies risk stifling digital freedom, could be undermined by weak age-verification technology and may push minors to unregulated corners of the internet.

The move places Turkey among a growing number of nations re-evaluating online youth protections amid global concern about social media’s impact on young people’s mental health and safety.

Rigorous Restrictions and Official Statements

A parliamentary commission in Turkey has formally recommended a suite of new measures aimed at shielding young people from what lawmakers describe as ever-present online risks. The key proposal banning social media use for those under 16 forms the heart of a broader effort that also includes mandatory age verification for all users and enhanced content filtering up to age 18. In practice, tech firms would have to deploy systems capable of confirming a user’s real age before allowing access, while platforms would be required to remove harmful content without waiting for judicial orders.

Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş has been vocal about the government’s intentions, telling reporters after a recent cabinet meeting that the upcoming bill would centre on protecting children and teenagers. While her emphasis has been on regulatory safeguards rather than outright prohibitiveness, other officials have explicitly stressed the need for a firm legal baseline.

Senior AKP lawmaker Harun Mertoğlu has said Turkey needs to “protect our kids from moral erosion” and digital addiction, underlining growing public concern about youth screen time and exposure to harmful material online.

Yet the measures are already contentious. Social media companies have openly warned that age-verification technology, if poorly implemented, could simply push young users toward apps and platforms that operate outside regular oversight.

Privacy advocates have also flagged potential risks associated with collecting sensitive age-related data, especially in societies with weak data protections. Furthermore, enforcement challenges raised by critics include the ease with which motivated minors might bypass age checks through virtual private networks (VPNs) or fake documentation.

For many Turkish parents, however, the proposals tap into genuine anxieties. Shopkeeper Belma Kececioglu, for example, described to Reuters how her 10-year-old frequently spends hours on games and social media, lamenting that “it is like all the kids are social media addicts.” Such everyday perspectives have resonated with lawmakers as they shape the proposals.

A Global Push and Domestic Digital Regulation

Turkey’s initiative does not emerge in isolation. Around the world, governments are wrestling with how best to protect children online without stifling their development or fundamental rights. In December 2025, Australia became the first country to ban children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms unless operators implement robust age verification a move seen as groundbreaking and controversial.

Across Europe, countries like Spain, Greece, France, Britain and Germany are also debating similar restrictions, with the European Parliament itself advocating an EU-wide minimum age of 16 for social media access accompanied by stronger safeguards against addictive design features and manipulative algorithms.

In this broader global context, Turkey’s proposals reflect mounting concern in many societies that unchecked social media use can contribute to mental health issues, anxiety and social pressures among children and adolescents.

Advocates say tighter regulation is overdue given the sophistication of modern online platforms, while sceptics share worries that regulatory solutions may inadvertently curtail freedom of expression and impose heavy compliance costs on technology firms.

Domestically, the move also interfaces with Turkey’s already stringent digital governance framework. The country has a track record of aggressive content control: it currently bans access to more than 1.2 million web pages and social media posts and has restricted platforms like Roblox, Discord and Wattpad since 2024. Turkish authorities can leverage tools ranging from advertising bans to bandwidth reductions and fines of up to 3% of global revenues to enforce compliance with online regulations.

Separately, Turkey’s Personal Data Protection Authority has underscored challenges related to children’s personal data in digital spaces, noting that gaming platforms and social networks often collect sensitive behavioural information from geolocation to in-game activities that can affect privacy and security. Experts emphasise the need for clear, transparent consent mechanisms and robust data protection measures to accompany any restrictions on access.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

At The Logical Indian, we recognise the genuine concerns that drive calls for stronger protections for children online. The digital lives of young people today are intertwined with their social, educational and emotional development. We support thoughtful, evidence-based policies that safeguard their wellbeing without compromising their rights to freedom of expression, learning and exploration. However, measures that rely heavily on bans risk unintended consequences such as driving youth to less transparent, poorly regulated platforms or creating privacy hazards through intrusive age-verification systems.

A balanced approach should centre on digital literacy, parental engagement, transparent data protections, and shared responsibility between governments, tech companies and civil society. Children deserve the opportunity to learn how to navigate online spaces safely, not merely be kept out of them. At the same time, harmful content and exploitative practices must be addressed through clear, enforceable standards that respect human rights.