Turkish Parliament Commission Tackles Student Threats and Proposes Smartphone Ban in Schools

In a hearing of the Grand National Assembly’s School Incidents and Digital Risks Research Commission, teachers reported that three students at Altındağ Süleyman Şah Technical Anatolian High School used social media to threaten three teachers with death. Security forces intervened early in the morning, the students were detained, received a one‑month custodial sentence and were transferred to other schools.

Commission members, including AK Party MP Yusuf Beyazıt, heard testimonies from educators such as history teacher Özlem Önen and German teacher Yankı Üstün, who highlighted rising violence, digital addiction, and economic pressures on teachers. They stressed the need for stronger guidance services and better communication skills among youth, warning that “students are becoming emotion‑less, robot‑like.”

Students attending the session also called for a ban on smartphones in schools, suggesting a return to feature phones only. They argued that mobile devices contribute to bullying and health issues. The commission noted these proposals while reaffirming its mandate to address digital risks and protect children’s safety.