ANKARA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye is tightening regulations on children's access to social media, with new rules requiring platforms to prevent users under 15 from accessing their services amid growing concerns over cyberbullying, online harassment and young users' safety.
The regulation, published Saturday, introduces new obligations for social media platforms, including age verification and measures to block underage account creation.
The measures will take effect on Nov. 1, following legislation passed by parliament in April to strengthen safeguards for minors online.
Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas, who played a key role in introducing the restrictions, has repeatedly warned that social media platforms treat children as commercial assets, stressing the government's responsibility to protect young people from potential online harm.
According to a 2024 survey by the Turkish Statistical Institute, 91.3 percent of children aged six to 15 in Türkiye used the internet, while 66.1 percent used social media.
Experts say exposure to inappropriate content and cyberbullying have become major concerns for parents and educators.
Asli Goral, an independent accountant whose 14-year-old son uses digital platforms, said monitoring children's online activities had become increasingly difficult.
"Despite our best efforts, it is literally impossible to regulate his activities across multiple social media platforms," Goral told Xinhua, describing tighter controls as necessary.
She said online harassment reports at her son's school have risen in recent years.
The new rules place greater responsibility on platforms to verify users' ages, prevent underage access, provide age-appropriate services for older teenagers, offer parental-control tools, and safeguard personal data.
They stipulate that existing accounts must undergo age verification, with platforms required to complete the process by March 31, 2027.
Meanwhile, the rules extend to online gaming, requiring appropriate age ratings for all games, and unrated games may only be offered to adults under the highest age-classification category.
Ankara-based education expert Zeynep Taskin said protecting children online requires a comprehensive approach that combines regulation with education and cooperation among families, schools and technology companies.
She said effective protection also depends on whether children can report abuse safely and whether platforms respond promptly.
"Parents and educators play an important role in helping children recognize online harassment, protect their personal information and seek assistance when they encounter threatening or humiliating behavior," Taskin said.
Analysts say the effectiveness of the new framework will depend in part on how age verification is implemented. Platforms will need to establish reliable methods of verifying users' ages while minimizing the collection and retention of sensitive personal data.
Türkiye's move comes amid broader international efforts to strengthen online protections for children. Australia has introduced a minimum-age requirement for social media use, while several European countries have debated or pursued age-based restrictions and additional safeguards for younger users. ■
