A social media limit is coming for children in Türkiye

The Ministry of Family and Social Services is preparing to submit a legal regulation to the Turkish Grand National Assembly by the end of the month that aims to restrict social media use for children under the age of 15. The practice of introducing an age limit on social media, which has begun to be debated globally with the example of Australia, has also risen to the top of Türkiye’s agenda.

Stating that a social media restriction for those under 15 can be seen as a preventive step to protect children from the most problematic aspects of digital environments, Asst. Prof. Duygu Temel said, “Considering the concerns long expressed by parents and educators, this regulation also shows that the state is trying to take a more active role in ensuring children’s safety in the digital world.”

Emphasizing that addressing the issue solely through the lens of a “ban” would not be sufficient, Dr. Temel added, “Social media is also a space for children to socialize, build a sense of belonging, and express themselves. Therefore, such a regulation should be considered not with a rigid and punitive mindset, but together with policies that strengthen digital media literacy and critical media use while protecting children.”

Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced that the legal regulation envisaging restrictions on social media use for children under 15 will be submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly by the end of this month. The “age limit on social media” practice, which has started to be discussed globally with the example of Australia, has now entered Türkiye’s agenda.

Asst. Prof. Duygu Temel from the Department of Journalism at Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication evaluated the proposed age limit on social media.

Algorithms increasingly direct children to riskier content

Noting that social media has been part of our lives for nearly 20 years, Dr. Temel stated that its effects on children have become much more visible and offered the following assessment: “After nearly 20 years of living with social media, the effects of these platforms on children have become far more visible and debatable. We know that algorithms direct users toward similar and increasingly extreme content, and there is a great deal of research on this. A structure that can be problematic even for adults can lead to much riskier outcomes for children and adolescents. For example, images and videos focusing on body image, especially among young girls, can increase appearance anxiety due to algorithmic exposure and create risks that may extend to eating disorders. From this perspective, a social media restriction for those under 15 can be seen as a preventive step to protect children from the most problematic aspects of digital environments. Considering the long-standing concerns voiced by parents and educators, this regulation also indicates that the state is trying to take a more active role in protecting children in the digital world.”

A ban alone is not enough

However, emphasizing that addressing the issue solely as a “ban” would not be sufficient, Dr. Temel reminded that social media is not only about risks for children and young people and said, “Social media is also a space for children to socialize, build a sense of belonging, and express themselves. Therefore, such a regulation should be considered together with policies that strengthen digital media literacy and critical media use, rather than through a rigid and punitive approach.”

Not a break from screens, but a digital migration may occur

Pointing out that significant transformations may occur in children’s media use habits if the regulation is implemented, Dr. Temel stated that this process would not mean a complete break from screens and continued: “If this regulation is implemented, it is more likely that children will experience a digital migration rather than completely disconnecting from screens. With the postponement of social media use, children may turn more toward messaging applications, gaming platforms, and video content. This may bring about a more fragmented pattern of media use, with more frequent transitions between platforms. At the same time, encountering social media at a later age may help some children develop more conscious and controlled usage habits. However, for this transformation to be lasting and healthy, it must be supported by media literacy and guidance mechanisms that enable children to understand the digital world critically.”

In the Australian example, accounts under 16 were closed

Referring to Australia as one of the most striking examples in this field, Dr. Temel shared the following information regarding the decisions taken by Meta in line with legislation enacted by the Australian government: “Australia has imposed an obligation on social media companies to prevent children under the age of 16 from holding accounts on platforms as of December 10, 2025. The aim of the regulation is to increase children’s online safety and reduce the risk of exposure to harmful content. Although Meta stated that it did not agree with the regulation, it announced that it would comply with the law and began gradually closing Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts identified as belonging to users under 16 in Australia as of December 4.”

Ten platforms under obligation

Stating that the regulation in Australia does not only cover Meta, Dr. Temel noted that a total of ten social media platforms are subject to similar obligations and said, “In addition to Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, a total of ten platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, X, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick are required to block or close accounts belonging to users under 16. Platforms are required to take ‘reasonable steps’ for age verification; otherwise, they may face high fines.”

Responsibility shifts from parents to platforms

Emphasizing that one of the most important aspects of such regulations is that they move children’s online safety beyond individual parental supervision, Dr. Temel concluded as follows: “For a long time, harmful content that children are exposed to on social media, cyberbullying, or posts that may negatively affect mental health have been discussed, but solutions often stopped at the point of ‘families should be careful.’ The regulation in Australia changes this approach by holding the companies that design these environments more clearly responsible. Concerns that early and intensive social media use creates pressure on children are among the main reasons behind this decision. The limit introduced for those under 16 does not aim to completely disconnect children from the digital world, but to offer a more controlled and safer online experience. Australia is the first country to enact a comprehensive nationwide law to limit children’s social media use. In this respect, it may serve as an important reference for other countries.”