AKP to keep 'age restriction' on the agenda

The TBMM Children's Subcommittee met under the chairmanship of AK Party Kocaeli Deputy Radiye Sezer Katırcıoğlu to discuss the topic of "Threats and Risks Awaiting Our Children in Digital Media."

Speaking at the meeting, Katırcıoğlu said, "Digital media has shown that it has become a serious threat to our children by growing in an uncontrolled manner. The rapid spread of telephone and internet technologies leaves our children vulnerable to the negative effects of social networks." 

I would like to state that the work we have done so far has shown us that digital media has become a serious threat to our children by growing in an uncontrolled manner. The rapid spread of telephone and internet technologies leaves our children vulnerable to the negative effects of social networks. 

We see that sexual abuse and violence against children, digital addiction, peer bullying and cyberbullying, the activities of international terrorist organizations on digital platforms, and the activities of the LGBTI+ lobby have become a major security threat in the world and in our country when technology is used uncontrollably and falls into the hands of malicious people. Today, our children are the target of dark structures that want to seize their minds and bodies," she said.

"WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP IT ON OUR AGENDA"

Stating that digital media has become an area where terrorist organizations recruit members and deviant individuals look for victims, Katırcıoğlu said, "Protecting our children on these platforms, which have turned into a dump of information, is the common responsibility of the state, the family, and society. In global examples, there have been countries that have created comprehensive state policies to combat these threats. Countries such as Japan, Singapore, Australia, Norway, and France aim to protect their children through restrictions and controlled access policies for the digital world." 

As the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, in light of the principle of the best interests of the child, we will continue to keep on our agenda the discussion and debate of measures such as: examining international examples on-site starting next month to protect our children; implementing age restrictions on social media usage; creating a national secure internet network for children; increasing the number of child-oriented applications by digital operators; restricting programs and productions on our television screens that set bad examples for our children; carrying out educational activities for families; and making digital media literacy a mandatory subject in the Ministry of National Education curriculum," she said.

Expressing that their primary goal as a commission is to keep children away from harmful addictions, the insidious traps of terrorist organizations, and threats targeting their morals and values, Katırcıoğlu stated that they are open to every constructive criticism and suggestion made with this intention.

Experts from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and directorates under the Ministry of Health delivered a presentation at the commission titled, "Child Abuse on Digital Platforms, Addiction, Encountered Dangers, and Oversight Mechanisms Developed in This Field in Our Country and the World."