Turkey bans social media for children under 15 from November 1

Turkey has officially announced a ban on social media for children under 15, set to commence on November 1. This move marks a trend of countries enacting legislation to safeguard young internet users against the potential adverse effects of online platforms. The official gazette released the decision after parliament passed a law in April which mandates social media companies to implement age verification measures and take necessary technical and administrative steps to safeguard younger users.

Services that could potentially create addictive behaviors in children will not be allowed. Australia, Britain, France and other nations have already introduced similar restrictions on social media usage for children, aiming to protect them from issues like screen addiction, insufficient sleep, bullying and eating disorders. However, human rights organizations have criticized Turkey's move for potentially infringing on freedom of expression, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals, the media and political opposition.

Several social media accounts have been blocked in recent weeks. The European Union is also considering similar restrictions for users under 13, while a US governor recently signed a bill to curb children's exposure to potential risks on social media. The issue of social media restrictions for children under 16 is also under consideration in Pakistan, and a court has sought clarification on the matter.