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

Toupees, long associated with poor aesthetics and social stigma, are re-emerging in the form of modern “hair systems”, driven by advances in design, changing attitudes toward male grooming, and the influence of social media.

Industry data and practitioner accounts indicate rising demand for these non-surgical hair replacement options, particularly among men experiencing pattern baldness.Hairpieces have existed for millennia, with evidence of their use traced to ancient Egypt. Toupees, which differ from full wigs by covering only part of the scalp, originated in 18th-century Europe.

The term derives from the French word “toupet”, meaning a tuft of hair. Their popularity peaked in the mid-20th century, with Time magazine estimating that more than 2.5 million men in the United States wore toupees by 1970.

However, their use declined as cultural perceptions shifted, influenced in part by ridicule in popular media and the growing social acceptance of shaved heads.Despiethat decline, hair loss remains widespread.

Estimates cited in clinical practice suggest that male pattern baldness affects between 30% and 50% of men by age 50 and up to 80% over a lifetime. Fabian Martinez, a trichologist and manager at the London Hair Clinic, said that emotional responses to hair loss remain significant.

He reported that clients across professions, including law and entertainment, have expressed distress over balding and reluctance to adopt a shaved appearance. According to Martinez, there remains a “misconception” that men should accept baldness without seeking alternatives.

Recent developments in hairpiece manufacturing have altered the market. Modern hair systems are typically constructed from human or synthetic hair attached to lace or polymer-based membranes designed to replicate the appearance of scalp skin. These systems are adhered using medical-grade adhesives and can be tailored to match an individual’s natural hair colour, density and style.

Practitioners say the improved realism and durability distinguish them from earlier products, which were often criticised for their artificial appearance.Market indicators point to renewed consumer interest. Google search trends show a marked increase in queries for “hair systems” since 2025.

Aderans, a manufacturer whose subsidiary Trendco has produced hairpieces since 1965, reported a 43% year-on-year increase in male customers purchasing such systems in 2025. The company attributed this growth partly to the visibility of hair transformation content on social media platforms.

Online content has played a measurable role in shaping consumer behaviour. Posts tagged with “#toupee” on Instagram number in the hundreds of thousands, with some videos attracting millions of views. Emily Alexis Ann Cheney, a California-based stylist known online as the “Toupee Queen”, produces videos documenting client transformations from partial or advanced baldness to full hair coverage.

Viewer responses to these videos are predominantly positive, often focusing on perceived natural appearance and aesthetic improvement.Consumers cite these visual demonstrations as influential. Jon McSherry, a 46-year-old from Lincoln, said he decided to adopt a hair system after watching before-and-after videos online.

He described a mismatch between his physical appearance and how he felt, noting that his hair loss had become more pronounced in his forties. His experience reflects a broader trend of individuals seeking immediate, non-invasive solutions.Barbers and clinics have begun incorporating hair systems into their services.

Thomas Robinson, owner of Tom’s Barbers in Lincoln, said he introduced the offering two years ago after observing demand among clients with thinning hair. He currently serves around 40 customers, each paying more than £600 for a system. Robinson said improvements in product quality and affordability had contributed to uptake, describing the results as immediate and predictable.

Hair systems compete with other hair restoration methods, particularly surgical transplantation. Hair transplant procedures involve relocating follicles from one part of the scalp to another and are typically performed under local anaesthetic.

The UK’s National Health Service states that such procedures are generally safe when conducted by qualified practitioners in regulated settings, though it notes risks including infection, bleeding and allergic reactions. Costs vary widely, ranging from £1,000 to £30,000, with private sector averages reported at approximately £4,820.

Lower-cost procedures are available abroad, particularly in Turkey, where state media reports typical prices around $2,000.Greg Williams, a surgeon and spokesperson for the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, said that while complications from transplantation are uncommon, the procedure often requires repeat interventions due to the progressive nature of hair loss.

He noted that scarring, temporary numbness and infection can occur, though serious complications are rare. Williams added that patients are typically advised to use medication long-term to preserve existing hair.He also highlighted differences in outcomes between surgical and non-surgical approaches.

According to Williams, hair transplants may not achieve the same density as hair systems, particularly in cases of advanced hair loss. As a result, he said hairpieces are often discussed as part of the informed consent process, especially for patients seeking fuller coverage.Some users cite flexibility as an advantage of hair systems.

Unlike surgical interventions, they are not permanent and can be replaced or removed. Paul McCafferty, a 51-year-old from Edinburgh, said he initially adopted a hair system as a short-term solution but continued using it after achieving satisfactory results. He reported that improved products allowed longer use, with some systems lasting up to a year under proper maintenance.

Maintenance requirements include periodic cleaning, rebonding and replacement. Practitioners advise gentle washing and adherence to care guidelines to ensure durability. Robinson said his clients include individuals with active lifestyles, including those who swim, exercise regularly or participate in water sports, suggesting that properly maintained systems can withstand physical activity.

However, hair systems are not without limitations. In January, during a boxing match between Jarrell Miller and Kingsley Ibeh, Miller’s hairpiece became dislodged and was removed mid-fight. Industry practitioners attributed the incident to possible application issues or insufficient time for adhesive bonding prior to intense activity.

Despite such cases, users report growing confidence in the reliability of modern systems. McSherry said initial concerns about detachment diminished with use, adding that the system felt secure and indistinguishable from natural hair.

He attends monthly maintenance sessions, though frequency varies depending on individual needs and lifestyle.

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 man, identified by police as Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, was detained on Saturday after being reported over an Instagram post in which he allegedly used repeated expletives to refer to Nyepi, Bali police spokesman Ariasandy said in a statement late Sunday.

Zgraggen is being investigated for spreading hate speech online, an offence under Indonesia’s updated criminal code that carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

Police said they would confiscate his iPhone as part of the inquiry and question witnesses.Ariasandy did not specify the suspect’s age, in line with common Indonesian practice where some officials use a single name.

Nyepi, observed last Thursday on the island of Bali, is a key religious observance in the Hindu-majority region. The day requires residents and visitors to remain indoors for 24 hours for self-reflection, with work, travel, entertainment and even the use of electricity largely halted.

Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, has stepped up enforcement against behavior deemed offensive or unlawful by foreign visitors.

Bali, a major tourism destination attracting millions of international tourists annually, has seen a series of high-profile incidents involving foreigners in recent months.Last week, authorities arrested two French nationals and an Italian on allegations of producing and distributing pornography, which is prohibited under Indonesian law.

Russia has already banned Facebook for restricting access to Russian media while Instagram was blocked after Meta said it would allow social media users in Ukraine to post messages urging violence against Russian President Vladimir Putin and troops Moscow sent into Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.