Türkiye to implement social media safeguards for children, minister announces

2026-02-15 - 22:35

Türkiye is preparing to introduce comprehensive social media regulations aimed at safeguarding children, Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced Sunday. Speaking on the Turkish platform NSosyal, Göktaş stated that the government is in the final stages of implementing protective measures, aligning with similar initiatives being adopted internationally. "Just like many countries around the world, we are very close to implementing social media regulations aimed at protecting our children," she declared. Alarming Digital Impact on Youth Development The minister highlighted concerning data showing average human attention spans have plummeted to approximately eight seconds, with children disproportionately affected. Göktaş revealed that youth attention spans have declined by at least 30% over the past decade, significantly impairing concentration, peer relationships, and academic achievement. These neurological changes have simultaneously made classroom instruction increasingly challenging for educators, she noted, emphasizing the urgency of regulatory intervention. Call for Collective Action Göktaş framed the forthcoming regulations as part of a broader societal responsibility to create secure internet environments for younger generations. She appealed directly to parents and teachers to support implementation efforts, stating: "Together, we can make a safe internet possible for our children." The minister's announcement positions Türkiye within a growing international consensus requiring legislative action to mitigate digital platforms' adverse effects on minors, as debates over appropriate safeguards continue globally.