Turkiye passes bill to restrict social media for children under 15

Turkish lawmakers have passed a bill to restrict social media access for children under 15, according to state media. The legislation mandates social media platforms to implement age-verification tools and parental control mechanisms. This decision follows a tragic incident where a 14-year-old boy killed nine students and a teacher in a middle school shooting in Kahramanmaras, prompting police to investigate the perpetrator's online activity for insights into his motivations.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has 15 days to approve the bill for it to become law. In a televised address, he emphasized the need to protect children from the dangers of online platforms, stating, "We are living in a period where some digital sharing applications are corrupting our children’s minds, and social media platforms have, to put it bluntly, become cesspools." The bill would require platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram to block children under 15 from creating accounts and to appoint representatives in Turkiye to ensure compliance.

The main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), criticized the proposal, arguing that children should be protected through rights-based policies rather than bans. The Turkish government has faced scrutiny for its approach to online restrictions, particularly during protests supporting jailed opposition figures. This legislation aligns with a global trend, as countries like Australia and Indonesia have also implemented similar restrictions on children's access to social media, citing concerns over online safety and mental health.

Power Read: The Turkish government gains leverage over social media companies by imposing stringent regulations, positioning itself as a protector of children’s safety. However, this move exposes the government to criticism from opposition parties, who argue that such restrictions may infringe on rights and freedoms. The strategic play here is to consolidate authority over digital spaces while addressing public safety concerns, especially in the wake of violent incidents. This could also serve to distract from broader criticisms of government censorship and control over dissenting voices.

What to watch: The upcoming decision by President Erdogan on whether to approve the bill will be crucial in determining the future landscape of social media regulation in Turkiye.