Lawmakers in Turkiye have begun debating a draft law that would restrict access to major social media platforms for children under the age of 15, reflecting a broader global push to regulate digital exposure among minors.

The proposed legislation would require platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram to prevent users below the age threshold from opening accounts. Companies would also be mandated to implement age-verification systems and provide parental control tools designed to regulate children’s online activity.

The bill forms part of a wider legislative package currently under consideration in parliament, though officials have not indicated how long deliberations are expected to continue. If adopted, the law would place new compliance obligations on both social media platforms and online gaming companies operating in the country.

The government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has framed the proposal as a measure to address risks associated with children’s online engagement, including exposure to harmful content and threats to privacy. Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas, the minister for family and social services, has said the initiative prioritizes safeguarding minors from digital risks.

Under the draft, platforms would be required to respond swiftly to content deemed harmful and ensure that systems are in place to limit underage access. Online gaming companies would also need to appoint local representatives in Turkiye to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements. Enforcement mechanisms could include fines and reductions in internet bandwidth imposed by the national communications authority on companies that fail to comply.

The proposal has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers, particularly the Republican People’s Party, who argue that restrictions alone are insufficient and advocate for policies grounded in children’s rights and digital education. Critics have also pointed to the broader context of internet governance in Turkiye, where authorities have previously imposed restrictions on online communication during periods of political tension.

In 2025, access to online platforms was curtailed during protests linked to the detention of Ekrem Imamoglu, highlighting concerns among rights groups about the potential overlap between child protection measures and broader controls on digital expression.

Turkiye’s proposal aligns with a growing international trend toward stricter regulation of minors’ access to social media. In Australia, restrictions introduced in December led to the removal of millions of accounts identified as belonging to users under 16. Similarly, Indonesia has begun enforcing rules banning children under 16 from accessing certain digital platforms associated with risks such as cyberbullying, online fraud, and harmful content.

European countries including Spain, France and the United Kingdom are also considering or implementing measures aimed at limiting children’s exposure to unregulated online environments, reflecting increasing scrutiny of the impact of social media on young users.

The Turkish legislation, if passed, would place the country among a growing group of governments seeking to impose age-based access controls on digital platforms, while also raising questions about enforcement, technological feasibility, and the balance between child protection and digital freedoms

The measures target access and usage of major platforms by younger users, amid concerns from parents and guardians that social media companies have assumed an outsized role in shaping children’s online behavior.

YouTube, owned by Google, said it supports the government’s effort to design a “risk-based framework” aimed at mitigating harm while maintaining access to information and digital opportunities.

The company emphasized the need for balanced regulation that does not limit educational and developmental benefits associated with online

Authorities and guardians backing the policy argue that existing safeguards have proven insufficient, with parents increasingly unable to monitor or regulate children’s digital consumption.

The new framework is expected to place greater responsibility on platforms to enforce age-appropriate access, while strengthening mechanisms for parental supervision.

The move reflects a growing global effort by governments to tighten oversight of youth engagement with social media, particularly around issues of safety, mental health, and exposure to harmful content.

Details on enforcement mechanisms and penalties have not been fully disclosed, but officials have indicated the policy will evolve as authorities assess its impact.

A Los Angeles jury has found Meta and YouTube liable for designing addictive digital products that contributed to harm suffered by a young user, marking the first case of its kind to reach trial and result in a verdict.

The jury awarded $6 million in damages to the plaintiff, with Meta ordered to pay 70% of the total and YouTube responsible for the remainder.The decision followed nearly nine days of deliberations after a six-week trial in Los Angeles superior court.

Jurors heard testimony from company executives, expert witnesses on addiction and social media, whistleblowers, and the plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman identified in court filings as KGM.

The 12-member jury returned a 10-2 decision in favor of the plaintiff on all key questions, including whether the companies were negligent and whether their product designs were a substantial factor in causing harm.

Jurors also concluded that the companies failed to provide adequate warnings about potential risks associated with prolonged use.

KGM testified that she began using YouTube at the age of six and Instagram, owned by Meta, at nine. She told the court that her use of these platforms became compulsive and had negative effects on her mental health.

According to her testimony, she experienced depression and engaged in self-harm by the age of 10.At 13, she was diagnosed by a therapist with body dysmorphic disorder and social phobia, conditions she attributed to her prolonged exposure to content and interactions on the platforms.

She also described strained relationships with family members and difficulties in school, which she linked to her social media usage.Her legal team argued that platform features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay functions were intentionally designed to maximize user engagement and create dependency.

During closing arguments, the plaintiff’s lawyer characterized these features as mechanisms that encourage prolonged use, likening them to engineered systems aimed at sustaining attention.

The plaintiff’s lawyers said the case reflected broader patterns affecting young users, arguing that similar harms have been reported by thousands of individuals and families. They stated that the verdict represented accountability for what they described as known risks associated with platform design.

Both Meta and YouTube said they would appeal the decision and rejected the jury’s findings. A Meta spokesperson said the company disagreed with the verdict and maintained that teen mental health is influenced by multiple factors that cannot be attributed to a single platform.

The company said it remains confident in its efforts to protect younger users online.A spokesperson for YouTube also disputed the outcome, stating that the case mischaracterized the platform. The company described YouTube as a responsibly designed streaming service rather than a social media network and said the allegations presented in court were inaccurate.

Throughout the trial, both companies denied wrongdoing. They argued that the plaintiff’s mental health challenges were influenced by factors outside their platforms, including personal and environmental conditions. These arguments were rejected by the jury in its final determination.

The ruling comes amid increasing legal scrutiny of large technology companies over the impact of their products on younger users. The case is part of a broader set of consolidated lawsuits in California involving more than 1,600 plaintiffs, including families and school districts.

The cases target multiple platforms, including Meta, YouTube, TikTok and Snap, over alleged harms linked to social media use.TikTok and Snap reached settlements in the KGM case shortly before the trial began, leaving Meta and YouTube as the remaining defendants in this proceeding.

The verdict also follows a separate ruling issued one day earlier in New Mexico, where Meta was ordered to pay $375 million in civil penalties in a case involving allegations that it misled users about platform safety and enabled harm, including child exploitation.

Together, the rulings represent the first instances in which juries have held Meta legally accountable for harms linked to its platforms.KGM’s case is the first among more than 20 planned “bellwether” trials, which are intended to test legal arguments and assess how juries respond to evidence in similar cases.

These trials are expected to influence settlement discussions and shape legal precedent in ongoing litigation against social media companies.

The next bellwether trial is scheduled for July, while a separate series of federal cases involving hundreds of plaintiffs is set to begin in San Francisco in June.

The suggested move places India within a wider international conversation on balancing digital growth with child safety in an increasingly connected world.

The proposal focuses on restricting access to social media platforms for users below the age of 16, citing concerns around online well-being, digital habits, and data protection.

Supporters of the idea say it reflects growing awareness among policymakers worldwide about the impact of prolonged social media exposure on young minds.

India is one of the largest digital markets globally, with hundreds of millions of smartphone users and widespread internet penetration across urban and rural areas.

Social media platforms have become central to communication, learning, entertainment, and commerce, particularly among younger demographics.

The proposed bill highlights the need for clearer age-based safeguards on digital platforms, placing responsibility on companies to verify user age and ensure compliance.

Advocates of such measures argue that stronger oversight can help create a safer and more responsible online environment for minors.

Globally, several countries are examining similar approaches.

Australia has recently enacted legislation restricting social media access for children under 16, while European nations such as France, Britain, Denmark, and Greece are debating age-based digital policies.

These international developments have influenced discussions in India, where policymakers are increasingly focused on online safety, data usage, and digital well-being.

The Indian government has consistently emphasized the importance of responsible technology use alongside innovation and economic growth.

Technology companies have generally supported parental supervision and digital literacy initiatives, while also stressing the importance of balanced regulation.

Industry voices have highlighted the need for solutions that protect young users without limiting access to positive educational and creative opportunities online.

India currently does not specify a nationwide minimum age for social media access, relying instead on platform policies and parental guidance.

The proposed legislation seeks to formalize age-related norms and encourage platforms to strengthen their safety mechanisms.

The bill is a private member’s proposal, meaning it was introduced by an individual lawmaker rather than the government itself.

Such bills often serve as discussion starters, helping shape debate and inform future policy directions.

Digital well-being has become a prominent topic in India’s policy ecosystem, especially as smartphone usage expands rapidly among teenagers.

Experts have pointed to the importance of addressing issues such as screen time management, online safety, and healthy digital habits.

India’s technology and digital economy have been a major driver of growth, innovation, and global engagement.

Any regulatory discussion around social media is therefore closely watched by businesses, parents, educators, and young users alike.

Supporters of age-based restrictions argue that clear rules can empower parents and schools while encouraging platforms to design youth-friendly digital spaces.

They say such steps can coexist with India’s broader vision of becoming a global digital leader.

The proposal also touches on the broader question of data responsibility and user protection in the digital age.

India has been strengthening its digital governance framework through data protection laws and online safety initiatives.

As debates continue, policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society groups are expected to contribute perspectives on how best to safeguard children online.

The discussion reflects a shared global challenge of adapting laws and norms to fast-evolving technology.

While no immediate policy change has been announced, the proposal underscores India’s engagement with international trends on digital safety.

It also signals an ongoing effort to ensure that technological progress aligns with social responsibility.

The conversation around social media and teens is likely to deepen as more data, research, and global experiences emerge.

India’s approach will aim to balance innovation, freedom, and protection in one of the world’s largest online communities.