Social media influencer Özlem Öz's Instagram account has been blocked from access in Turkey. The decision came to the agenda after the content Öz published on social media regarding her son's circumcision sparked public backlash.
Öz, who frequently shares her family life and moments spent with her children on her social media accounts along with her husband Tayyar Öz, had included images and conversations related to her son's circumcision process in her recent posts. This content brought the debates surrounding children's private lives and bodily privacy back to the forefront.
CHILD PRIVACY AT THE CENTER OF THE BACKLASH
Some users on the X platform pointed out the dangers of sharing images related to children's privacy for social media engagement and commercial purposes. Following the posts, calls were made to the Ministry of Family and Social Services, requesting action against the content and the account.
The Ministry of Family and Social Services issued a statement regarding the sharing of images and conversations recorded during a young child's circumcision procedure. The Ministry announced that a request was made to remove the content and block access under Law No. 5651, and that the relevant court had accepted this request.
“The systematic transformation of children's developmental processes, family relationships, health-related experiences, and various moments concerning their private lives into social media content from the day they are born carries serious risks in terms of the confidentiality of their private lives and personal rights.”
In the Ministry's statement, it was emphasized that parental rights do not grant parents unlimited authority over their children's private lives and bodily privacy. It was stated that parental consent does not make posts that violate children's privacy legally compliant.
There has been no public statement from Özlem Öz and Tayyar Öz regarding the access ban decision yet. The Ministry, on the other hand, announced that it will continue to take legal and administrative measures to protect the rights and privacy of children, based on their best interests.
News Source: 12punto
