Rules for under-15s on social media on the way, says Turkish minister

Türkiye’s Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas, announced that new regulations restricting children’s access to social media will soon be introduced.

The minister shared the details in a social media post and accompanying video, emphasizing concerns over declining attention spans and the impact of continuous digital stimulation on young users.

Minister Goktas stated that individuals today can focus on a single topic for only eight seconds and that this constant sensory engagement is particularly detrimental to children.

According to the minister, children’s attention spans have decreased by at least 30 percent over the past decade, affecting their academic performance, social interactions, and overall development. She noted that these changes have created additional challenges for educators in the classroom.

“Countries worldwide are already implementing or discussing social media regulations aimed at protecting children,” Goktas said.

“We are committed to providing a safer online environment for our youth and seek the support of parents and teachers in this endeavor.”

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Key measures of proposed regulation

• Minimum Age Limit: Children under 15 years will be prohibited from creating or using social media accounts.
• Age Verification: Social media platforms will be required to implement identity verification systems to ensure compliance.
• Content Filtering: Platforms must prevent children from accessing material deemed inappropriate for their age group.
• Implementation Timeline: The regulation is expected to be finalized and submitted to the relevant parliamentary commission in the coming weeks.

February 16, 2026 05:19 PM GMT+03:00