Türkiye Plans Stricter Social Media Regulations for Minors

Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced that Turkey is finalizing legislative work on a social media regulation aimed at protecting children under 16 from harmful content. Speaking after a Cabinet meeting in Beştepe, Göktaş emphasized that the regulation will not ban internet access but will introduce age-based restrictions and parental control measures.

Age-Based Regulation in Two Stages

The government is working on a two-tiered system:

  • Children under 13 will have stricter protections.
  • Children aged 13-16 will be subject to controlled access with additional safeguards.

Minister Göktaş stated that social media platforms will face serious obligations regarding age verification when opening accounts for users under 16. Additionally, platforms will be required to develop diverse parental control tools, allowing parents to monitor and limit screen time.

Enforcement and Parental Responsibility

To ensure compliance, penalties will be introduced for platforms that fail to meet these requirements. However, Göktaş stressed that regulations alone are not enough and that parents must take an active role in “digital parenting”—a concept that involves protecting children from online risks. To support parents, the ministry plans to offer digital literacy training.

Whats Next For Social Media?

Göktaş confirmed that discussions with social media platform representatives will continue in the coming months. The ministry aims to finalize the regulation within the year, working closely with lawmakers and relevant institutions to ensure a comprehensive and enforceable framework.