Turkey Prepares New Social Media Restrictions for Children Under 15

Turkey is preparing to introduce one of its most comprehensive regulatory frameworks yet aimed at protecting children in digital environments. Following a Cabinet meeting, Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced that an omnibus legislative proposal, which includes new restrictions on social media use for children under the age of 15, will be submitted to the relevant Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) commission by the end of this month. The move signals a decisive policy shift as concerns grow over the impact of digital platforms on children’s mental health, safety, and development.

The proposed legislation is designed not as a temporary intervention, but as a structural response to long-term digital risks. According to the ministry, the goal is to rebalance the relationship between children and technology by placing clear legal responsibility on platforms, rather than leaving protection primarily to families.

An Extensive Preparation Process

Minister Göktaş emphasized that the draft law is the outcome of nearly 18 months of preparation, rejecting the idea that it is a reactionary measure. During this period, the ministry worked closely with academics, child psychologists, digital security experts, social media companies, civil society organizations, parents, and children themselves.

This broad consultation process, she explained, was intended to ensure that the regulation reflects real-life digital behavior rather than theoretical assumptions. The resulting proposal aims to be enforceable, evidence-based, and focused on prevention, rather than relying solely on penalties after harm has already occurred.

Binding Obligations for Social Media Platforms

At the core of the planned regulation is the introduction of explicit and enforceable obligations for social media companies. Under the proposed rules, platforms would be required to deny access to children under the age of 15 and prevent accounts from being created on behalf of users in this age group. This would represent a shift away from voluntary age declarations toward stricter compliance mechanisms.

In addition, platforms would be expected to implement effective filtering and monitoring systems to reduce children’s exposure to harmful, violent, or inappropriate content. Minister Göktaş stressed that the regulation’s primary objective is child safety, not censorship, and that digital environments must be redesigned with children’s developmental needs in mind.

“We Cannot Allow Children to Be Treated as Commercial Products”

Framing the issue in ethical terms, Göktaş pointed to international examples, including Australia’s decision to restrict social media access for children under 16, as evidence that governments worldwide are reassessing digital freedoms when it comes to minors.

She made her position clear, stating in English translation:
“We cannot allow social media platforms to treat our children as commercial commodities. We cannot remain passive in the face of this.”

Highlighting the depth of the preparatory work, she added:
“We have been working on this issue for about a year and a half. We carried out comprehensive studies together with experts, academics, social media platforms, civil society organizations, families, and children themselves. We are submitting our omnibus bill, which includes social media regulation for those under 15, to the relevant parliamentary commission by the end of this month.”

Part of a Broader Child Protection Strategy

Minister Göktaş underlined that the proposed regulation should be understood as one element of a wider child protection framework, rather than a standalone ban. She cited studies and official assessments indicating that uncontrolled social media use can contribute to depression, anxiety, behavioral disorders, and social withdrawal among children.

She also warned that criminal groups and organized networks increasingly use digital platforms to reach minors, sometimes pushing them toward illegal activities. Against this backdrop, she described the regulation as a form of digital defense mechanism, stating:
“This regulation can be seen as part of a child protection shield. While our children benefit from the opportunities offered by digital platforms, we are responsible for protecting their mental and emotional health.”

Digital Safety Tools Already in Operation

Alongside legislative efforts, the ministry has already taken concrete steps to strengthen digital safety infrastructure. In the previous month, the “Children Are Safe” website and mobile application were launched, offering families and children access to safe content, guidance, and educational resources. The application also includes a one-touch emergency assistance feature, allowing users to seek immediate help when necessary.

In addition, the DUY reporting platform and the Social Media Monitoring Working Group, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, actively track harmful content involving children. According to Minister Göktaş, authorities have intervened directly in 2,904 cases to date, initiating legal proceedings and coordinating with courts and the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) to restrict access where required.

Explaining the process, she said:
“We identify the content, initiate the judicial process, and after the court’s evaluation, the Information and Communication Technologies Authority applies access restrictions. However, we want social media platforms to act much more proactively in these processes.”

A Turning Point in Digital Child Protection

Taken together, the proposed legislation and existing digital safety measures indicate that Turkey is entering a new phase in child-focused digital governance. By shifting responsibility toward platforms and embedding child protection into law, the government aims to move beyond reactive solutions and establish a more sustainable framework.