The portrayal of VPNs as “software used to circumvent censorship in countries like Türkiye with internet bans” is also criticised as reflecting a distorted perspective.
Back in 2020, DW Turkish took a similar stance, portraying Türkiye’s social media regulations negatively.
At the time, it was argued that such regulations were possible “in countries with high legal standards like Germany,” while they “carry a high risk of abuse in autocratic states.”
Although this stance appears to have softened today, it remains discernible.
Global search for solutions
Not only Türkiye, but numerous countries worldwide are seeking solutions to protect children from the risks associated with social media.
Many states are taking measures to restrict children under 15 years from accessing social media platforms.
The background to this includes increasing problems such as attention deficits, bullying, loss of motivation, glorification of weapons, and radicalisation, which are becoming more apparent in the course of digitalisation.
This topic is among the most discussed issues worldwide.
Australia was the first country to introduce such legislation, restricting access for those under 16 to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, X, and Facebook in December 2025.
France has also taken new steps, with a corresponding law being passed by the Senate. Several Asian countries have similar regulations.
Denmark and Norway are working on bans for those under 15 and 16, respectively. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store stated that a corresponding draft law would be presented later this year.
The debate is also taking place in Great Britain. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised that existing regulations are insufficient to protect children from the harmful influences of the internet.
Greece announced that it will ban the use of social media for those under 15 from January 1, 2027.
At the EU level, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that a new “digital age verification application” is technically ready for use and will be introduced soon. This shows that there is already a broad consensus in this area.
Overall, it is clear that many states – despite their different approaches – face a common challenge: protecting children in an increasingly digital world.
With this new regulation, Türkiye is positioning itself within this global development and pursuing the goal of protecting children from the negative effects of digital networks.
The article was originally published on TRT DEUTSCH