Social Media Ban for Under-16s in Türkiye

A comprehensive regulation by the UK government aims to reduce the risks children face in digital environments by restricting access to social media platforms for individuals under the age of 16. Announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the regulation is considered one of the most extensive social media restrictions introduced in Europe in recent years under its online safety policy framework. The government aims for the regulation to come into effect in early 2027.

Discussions in the UK regarding children’s use of social media have intensified in recent years due to concerns over cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, online exploitation, mental health issues, and the impact of algorithms on children. Public consultations conducted by the government and expert reports concluded that existing measures were insufficient, prompting the consideration of a more comprehensive intervention.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that protecting children in the online environment is one of the state’s fundamental responsibilities and emphasized that the regulation responds to parental demands. The government clarified that its goal is not to completely block children’s access to the digital world but to safeguard them from high-risk online environments.

The regulation is planned to cover social media platforms whose primary function is content sharing and social interaction among users. Government sources have indicated that platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, Snapchat, and YouTube will fall under the ban.

However, the final list of platforms has not yet been published. The government has announced it will provide further technical criteria to determine which services qualify as social media. Messaging applications such as WhatsApp and Signal are not currently expected to be directly included in the ban.

The regulation is not limited to banning social media use. The government has also stated that features enabling children to communicate with strangers online will be restricted.

Under this framework:

• Live streaming features will be restricted.
• Systems allowing direct communication between children and strangers will be blocked.
• New rules will be introduced for chat functions on online gaming platforms.
• Functions such as disappearing messages and location sharing may be limited.
• Usage restrictions during nighttime hours may be implemented.
• Mandatory break mechanisms may be introduced for infinite scrolling systems.

These measures are designed to reduce the risk of digital addiction among children and lower the likelihood of online exploitation.

The new regulation also includes artificial intelligence-based chat systems. A minimum age of 18 is proposed for access to AI-powered chat bots that simulate romantic relationships or sexual interactions.

The government has also stated that general-purpose AI chat systems will be required to restrict access to explicit content and features for users under 18. This approach is linked to growing concerns about the psychological impact of AI applications on children.

For the regulation to be enforceable, social media companies will be required to implement effective age verification systems. The government plans to mandate the technological verification of users’ ages.

Evaluated methods include:

• Facial recognition technology,
• Official identity verification,
• Verification through banking information,
• Digital identity systems.

However, it has been noted that age verification processes may raise new debates regarding data protection and privacy. Concerns have also emerged that bans could be circumvented through the use of VPNs.

The UK’s proposed regulation has been described in public discourse as the “Australia Plus” model, due to Australia being the first country in the world to implement a national social media ban for individuals under 16, effective December 2025.

The UK government has stated it will draw lessons from Australia’s experience and take into account challenges encountered during implementation. Findings that some Australian children bypassed restrictions using VPNs and similar methods have become key considerations in the UK’s preparatory planning.

During the government’s consultation process, a large majority of parents expressed support for the regulation. Official data indicate that approximately 90 percent of parents support stricter measures on children’s social media use.

Families who have lost children to cyberbullying, online exploitation, or exposure to harmful content have welcomed the regulation. These families argue that stronger measures are needed to address the impact of social media platforms on children.

The regulation has been criticized by some experts, technology companies, and child rights advocates. The main criticisms focus on its enforceability and long-term effects.

Critics argue that children may still access banned platforms through alternative means, potentially rendering the ban ineffective in achieving its intended outcomes. Some technology companies have warned that children may shift toward less secure and unregulated digital spaces outside the monitored platforms.

Additionally, some experts contend that the problem cannot be solved solely by restricting access and that platforms must assume greater responsibility for content safety.

The UK government aims to pass the necessary legal amendments through parliament by the end of 2026. If the process proceeds as planned, the social media ban and associated safety measures are expected to come into effect in the early months of 2027. The regulation is regarded as a significant example of a global trend aimed at enhancing children’s online safety and has the potential to influence similar policy debates in other countries.