Turkey bans social media for under 15

Turkey has enacted a ban on social media use for individuals under the age of 15, effective November 1. This move follows the passage of a law by parliament in April and is part of a trend seen globally in efforts to safeguard young users from potential harms associated with online platforms. The decision, published in the official state journal, mandates that social media companies implement measures such as age verification to protect minors.

Providers are prohibited from offering services that could lead to addictive behaviors in children. Countries like Australia, Britain, and France have also introduced similar restrictions to address concerns such as screen addiction, sleep deprivation, bullying, and mental health issues. Rights advocates, however, have raised concerns about potential infringements on freedom of expression, particularly affecting LGBTQ communities, journalists, and political opponents, as Turkey has blocked numerous social media accounts in recent weeks.