Türkiye is preparing for a new era in the digital world to protect children from the risks of social media and online games.
At the center of the new model announced by the Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, are secure login via e-Government, age verification, content separation according to age groups and new obligations for gaming platforms. The system to be introduced will not be based on giving children's personal data to platforms.
Minister Göktaş announced that instead of models that give broad powers to companies, they are working on a controlled and secure system that can be accessed via e-Government, does not require data sharing.
AGE VERIFICATION IS THE MOST CRITICAL SECTION
Age verification will be the most critical part of the new model. Instead of directly learning the user's real age by the platform, the aim is to verify the person's age group through the e-Government infrastructure.
Thus, it is aimed to prevent social media companies from collecting identity documents or direct personal data from the user.
The technical details of the model have not yet been established, but the age verification system will be created together with BTK and the Cyber Security Directorate.
LIMIT FOR UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE
With the legal regulation that came into force in April, social network providers are expected not to provide services to children under the age of 15 and to take the necessary measures, including age verification, to ensure this.
The new regulation will determine how this provision will be technically implemented. It is also planned to introduce parental control tools, quick response mechanisms to complaints and applications, and measures to protect children from deceptive advertisements on the platforms.
15-18 AGE DISCRIMINATION
It is not possible for the system to be limited to the "prohibited under 15" model.
At the same time, content areas specific to the 15-18 age group and separated from adults will be created. The aim is to exclude violence, pornography and inappropriate content in this age group.
Thus, a triple structure will emerge on digital platforms:
- Under 15: No access to social networks.
- 15-18 years old: Age-appropriate, adult-segregated and safer content area.
- Over 18 years of age: Adult user system.
AGE RATING OF GAMES
Another leg of the new regulation is online games. According to the model previously announced by the Ministry, game platforms will have to rate games according to age criteria.
The age group a game appeals to will be clearly stated during the marketing, advertising and sales processes. Besides this; Parental control mechanisms will be strengthened, greater protection will be provided for children's in-game communications, and parental control over account settings will be increased. Additionally, a parental approval mechanism will be introduced for paid in-game transactions.
It will be ensured that the platforms have representatives in Turkey who can be contacted.
Minister Göktaş had previously said that it was planned to impose an obligation on gaming platforms with more than 100 thousand daily access to have representatives in Turkey.
GAMES ARE NOT BANNED
The striking point in the ministry's approach is not the wholesale banning of games, but the fact that game companies take responsibility.
Minister Göktaş had previously stated that they did not have an approach such as "closing the games or banning them altogether", that their aim was to supervise and find an institutional contact person in case of problems.
GRADED SANCTION
The regulation introduces a gradual sanction mechanism for platforms. For game platforms, a warning will first be issued by BTK, then an administrative fine of 1 million to 10 million liras will be imposed, and if the obligation is not fulfilled, the bandwidth will be reduced by up to 50 percent. If the violation continues, sanctions such as narrowing the band by up to 90 percent will be brought to the agenda by court decision.
ROBLOX AND DISCORD EXAMPLE
In the background of the new regulation, there are also platforms whose access is blocked in Turkey. While pointing out the problems experienced on platforms such as Roblox and Discord, the aim of the new model is explained as determining the rules in advance and forcing the platforms to comply with these rules, rather than directly closing the platform.
CHILDREN ARE ON SCREEN FOR MORE THAN 3.5 HOURS A DAY
Children spend an average of over 3.5 hours a day on social media. Scrolling features and artificial intelligence algorithms can have a negative impact on children's sleep patterns; It can also cause depression and anxiety, as well as reduce concentration rates.
SUMMARY OF THE NEW SYSTEM
The targeted structure is as follows:
- Preventing children under 15 from using social media
- Age verification should not be left to the mercy of the platforms
- Secure age verification via e-Government - Preventing unnecessary personal data sharing with platforms
- Separating the 15-18 age group from adults
- Keeping violence, pornography and inappropriate content away from this age group
- Age rating of games - Strengthening parental control and paid transaction approvals
- Representative obligation for major gaming platforms in Turkey
- Gradual sanctions, from fines to band narrowing, on platforms that do not comply with the rules.
After the regulation is issued; It will become clear how e-Government integration will work, which platforms will be covered, which data will be shared for age verification, how parental consent will be obtained and under what conditions sanctions will be applied.
The new model is not just a "social media age limit" regulation; It is shaping up as a broader digital protection ecosystem that aims to gather social media, digital gaming, child safety, parental control and personal data security under the same roof.
