Turkish minister calls for social media regulations to protect minors
A phone screen shows multiple social media platforms. (AA Photo)
December 12, 2024 01:07 PM GMT+03:00
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu has called for urgent legal measures to protect minors from the harms of social media, highlighting the increasing need for regulations.
Uraloglu's remarks came during the presentation of his ministry's 2025 Central Government Budget Bill to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM).
Addressing dangers of social media
Minister Uraloglu expressed concerns over issues such as misinformation, cyberbullying, and child exploitation on social media platforms.
- Over 66% of Türkiye’s population uses social media, with daily internet usage exceeding the global average.
- Uraloglu stressed that the digital world fosters behaviors that pressure children to remain online for popularity and views.
"We face a significant social threat. Countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia have implemented various measures to address this issue, ranging from restrictions to outright bans," he said.
Uraloglu emphasized the need for a shift in perspective towards digital literacy and called for new legal frameworks to regulate social media platforms.
SAN ANSELMO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: In this photo illustration, the TikTok logo is displayed on an iPhone screen on December 06, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., has upheld a law mandating China-based ByteDance to sell the popular social media app TikTok or face a ban in the United States. ByteDance has until January 19, 2025 to sell the company. (Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (Photo by JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(FILES) This illustration photograph shows the logo of social network X (formerly Twitter) displayed on a smartphone in Brussels on September 27, 2024. - A French prosecutor is investigating into accusations against X (formerly Twitter) for complicity of aggravated moral harassment following a complaint filed by influencer Magali Berdah, according the Paris prosecutor's office on December 4, 2024. (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP)The Turkish government's is planning further draconian measures against social media platforms, Oct. 9, 2024. (AFP Photo)How is Australia's under 16 social media ban is influencing global policies for online safety? (Created with Canva)
Proposals for new regulations
The proposed legal measures aim to:
- Increase accountability for internet service providers and social media platforms.
- Enhance monitoring and control over harmful content targeting children under 16.
Uraloglu stated that his ministry is collaborating with the Ministries of Family, Justice, and Interior to draft comprehensive regulations. "We expect our esteemed Parliament to enact the necessary laws to ensure a safer future for our children and youth," he added.
December 12, 2024 01:07 PM GMT+03:00
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