Turkish lawmakers approve bill limiting minors access to certain social media platforms

Turkish MPs Pass Bill Requiring Social Media Platforms to Implement Age-Verification Tools

A bill has been passed in the Turkish parliament requiring social media platforms to introduce age-verification systems, parental control tools, and mechanisms for rapidly responding to harmful content. The legislation aims to protect young people from online risks.

The bill’s adoption comes after a recent school shooting in Kahramanmaras, where a 14-year-old boy killed nine students and a teacher. Police are investigating the perpetrator’s online activity to determine his motivation for the attack.

Under the law, social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram will be required to block children under 15 from opening accounts and introduce parental controls that manage children’s access. Online gaming companies must also appoint a representative in Turkey to ensure compliance with new regulations.

Potential penalties include internet bandwidth reductions and fines imposed by Turkey’s communications watchdog. The Turkish government has set a deadline of 15 days for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to approve the bill, making it law.

The legislation is part of a global trend aimed at protecting young people from online harm. Similar measures have been introduced in Australia, Indonesia, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom.

Source: Al Jazeera