Turkey Imposes Ban on Social Media Use for Adolescents

The Turkish government has passed significant legislation aimed at ensuring the safety of children and adolescents in cyberspace. According to Zamin.uz, under the new regulations, users under the age of 15 are officially prohibited from using social media.

International news agencies report that this measure is intended to protect the younger generation from various risks in the online environment. In accordance with the law, all online platforms are required to implement strict mechanisms for identifying and verifying the age of their users.

This means that the ability to hide one's age or register using false information will be significantly restricted. These measures are crucial in protecting children from harmful information that negatively impacts their psychological well-being.

The new rules apply not only to social networks but also to gaming platforms. Game developers will be required to classify their products by age category and admit users based on appropriate restrictions.

This will prevent minors from encountering content that is not suitable for their age. Furthermore, the law mandates that large technology companies with a high number of users establish official representative offices within Turkey.

This requirement will allow government agencies to take swift action against violations and strengthen oversight. Following several unfortunate incidents in the country, the government is also considering additional security measures.

Specifically, there are plans to introduce special SIM cards with filters that automatically block websites harmful to children. Officials are discussing not only restrictions on social media but also on VPN services and further tightening internet usage rules for those under 18.

These reforms in Turkey represent a decisive step toward ensuring digital security and may serve as a model for other countries in the future.