Turkey and EU propose new digital age limits for social media

Governments and international bodies are developing new regulations to restrict children's access to digital platforms and social media to protect them from exploitation and mental health issues.

In Turkey, Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced plans to implement a system where users access digital platforms via the e-Devlet (e-Government) portal. This measure aims to create a more secure digital environment without requiring platforms to share extensive user data. The ministry is also working on regulations for gaming platforms and content differentiation for the 15-18 age group, noting that excessive social media use has been linked to decreased concentration and increased anxiety in children.

Simultaneously, the European Union is drafting the EU Kids Act. According to European Commission documents, the proposal seeks to impose comprehensive restrictions on children under 15 accessing platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and AI chatbots like ChatGPT. Under the draft, children aged 15 and older could manage their own accounts, while those aged 13 and 14 would use accounts managed by parents with strict communication and time limits. Children aged 3 to 12 would remain under full parental control.