Desk : Turkey’s parliament has passed a new law prohibiting children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms, in a major step aimed at strengthening online protections for minors.
The legislation requires social media companies to implement strict age-verification systems to prevent underage users from opening accounts. Officials said the measure is designed to shield children from harmful content, cyberbullying, privacy risks and the negative mental health effects associated with excessive use of digital platforms.
The law, approved after a parliamentary vote, is expected to receive the approval of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan before coming into force. Reports said the rules will become effective six months after publication in the country’s official gazette.
In addition to age restrictions, the new legislation obliges major social media platforms to respond within one hour in cases involving emergency requests or harmful content flagged by authorities.
Turkey joins a growing number of countries tightening controls on children’s social media use. Australia has already enacted similar restrictions for users under 16, while several European nations are considering comparable measures.
The move reflects increasing global concern over the impact of social media on young users, particularly issues related to online safety, screen addiction and mental well-being.