Age Limit and e-Government Verification Coming for Social Media Use
With the new social media regulation prepared by the Ministry of Family and Social Services, e-Government-based age verification is becoming mandatory, and access restrictions are being implemented for users under 15.
Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş shared the details of the new social media age regulation to be implemented to protect children from digital dangers.
Objective of the Regulation
Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş drew attention to the addictive elements of social media and emphasized the need to protect children from dangers in the digital environment.
Minister Göktaş stated that they have to protect children from these digital dangers inside their homes, pointing out the importance of the new regulation.
e-Government Integration
It was stated that under the new system, all accounts will undergo age verification and this verification process will be carried out through e-Government integration.
It was expressed that users will be directed to e-Government to obtain a digital verification code and that audits on social media platforms will be conducted via this code.
Timeline and Implementation Process
It was announced that the age verification system is expected to come into effect for new accounts as of November 1.
It was reported that all existing accounts will have gone through the age verification system by March 31.
Restriction for Under 15
According to the new rules introduced, it became clear that individuals under the age of 15 will not be able to access social media.
Information was shared that the application will be implemented as a model specific to Turkey.
Special Services for Young Users
It was noted that differentiated services will be offered to young users between the ages of 15 and 18.
It was stated that accounts belonging to this age group will be secure and closed to the public from the beginning, and will not include live streaming and infinite scrolling features.
Security and Parental Tools
It was announced that screenshots cannot be taken on accounts directed at children and personalized ads will not be displayed.
In addition, it was emphasized that parental control tools will be strengthened and protecting children from peer and cyberbullying is targeted.