Turkiye passes bill to restrict social media access for children under 15

Key facts

• Turkish MPs passed a bill restricting social media access for children under 15.
• The legislation mandates that social media platforms install age-verification systems and provide parental control tools.
• Digital platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram must block children under 15 from opening accounts.
• Online gaming companies are required to appoint a representative in Turkiye to ensure compliance with the new regulations.
• Penalties for non-compliance include fines and internet bandwidth reductions imposed by Turkiye's communications watchdog.
• Australia implemented social media restrictions for children under 16 in December, resulting in the revocation of approximately 4.7 million accounts.
• Indonesia introduced regulations banning children under 16 from digital platforms that could expose them to pornography, cyberbullying, online scams, and addiction.
• Spain, France, and the United Kingdom are also considering or taking measures to restrict children's access to social media.