Growing International Trend to Protect Children from Digital Dangers

Sudanhorizon – Agencies
The Turkish parliament on Wednesday passed a new law banning the use of social media by all citizens under 15, reflecting a growing global trend toward regulating children’s digital spaces.
The Turkish law prohibits the creation of accounts for this age group and requires tech companies to implement age verification systems and provide parental control tools. It will come into effect several months after its official publication.
The Turkish government asserted that the primary goal is to “protect children from harmful content and digital dangers” such as bullying, digital addiction, and privacy violations. However, critics argue that these measures could restrict internet freedom or are merely technical solutions that are difficult to fully implement.
Sudanhorizon sought the views of a technology expert interested in this matter about whether there were similar cases to the Turkish one. The expert stated that Turkey is not an isolated case, but rather part of a global wave of similar legislation. This includes Australia, which imposed a ban on social media use for those under 16, and France, which is working on a law prohibiting the use of platforms for those under 15. Greece has announced a similar ban, set to take effect soon, due to concerns about psychological effects. Indonesia and Malaysia have also taken similar measures.
The technology expert considered this trend to reflect a global concern about the impact of social media on the mental health and social behavior of children.
Sudanhorizon noted that the Turkish move is almost directly related to recent developments in the country. This April, Turkey witnessed shocking incidents of school violence, including an attack by a student that resulted in the death and injury of several students and teachers, sparking widespread public outrage. Some reports have linked these incidents to growing concerns about the impact of violent digital content, prompting authorities to tighten digital controls and consider greater protection for minors.
The tech expert who spoke to Sudanhorizon stated that the ban in Turkey comes within two overlapping contexts: a global trend to restrict children’s access to social media, and increasing domestic pressure due to incidents of violence and fears about the negative impact of digital content.
The expert pointed out that while the stated goal is protection, the success of this law remains contingent on its practical applicability and the balance it strikes between protecting children and preserving their freedom to use the digital means and tools.

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