Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş has announced the details of the new regulation regarding social media usage. Responding to journalists' questions after the Cabinet Meeting, Göktaş stated that age verification and certain usage restrictions will be implemented, particularly for child and young users.
According to the information provided by Minister Göktaş, users who wish to open an account on social media platforms for the first time will be directed to the e-Devlet system for age verification. The user will receive a digital code verifying their age information and will be able to create an account on the platform using this code.
The regulation will also include separate provisions for users in the 15-18 age range. Göktaş stated that users in this group will not be able to start live broadcasts, take screen recordings, or use certain features that are said to create screen addiction.
There are important points for the 15-18 age group. For example, some applications will not be available. Features that create an element of screen addiction, such as 'infinite scrolling' or 'continuous scrolling back to the top,' will not be allowed. In addition to this, screen copying, or 'screen recording,' will not be possible, and they will not be able to start live broadcasts.
TWO-STAGE CONTROL VIA E-DEVLET
Minister Göktaş stated that age verification will not be limited to account creation. Accordingly, social media platforms will also undertake the responsibility of estimating users' ages using their own technological methods during service provision and maintaining necessary checks.
It was stated that if there is suspicion that an account is being used by a child under the age of 15, the platform will temporarily suspend the account and redirect the user to verify their age again via e-Devlet. Göktaş described this structure as a "double-sided control mechanism."
Within the scope of the regulation, steps such as allowing only followed accounts to send messages to children and disabling "read receipts" are also envisioned. Göktaş noted that protecting children from constant exposure to advertisements is also one of the topics of the regulation.
Minister Göktaş stated that the regulation will come into effect as of November 1, but a temporary compliance period will be granted to platforms until March 31, 2027. Göktaş expressed that their goal is to protect children from risks in the social media environment and to create a "child-friendly ecosystem."
News Source: 12punto
