Turkey’s Erdoğan signals age restriction in social media
Turkish President Erdoğan has suggested that they might impose age restrictions on social media platforms. “Screen addiction, which is spreading like a plague in society, is also at the top of our agenda,” he noted.
Duvar English
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Feb. 3 signaled that they consider imposing an age restriction on social media platforms.
Speaking during an opening ceremony in Istanbul, Erdoğan said, “We are decisively addressing the spread of the internet, violent TV series and negative incidents. We are determined to protect our children against addictions such as tobacco, alcohol and drugs. As an elder, I ask you, almost beg you; get rid of these bad habits.”
“Screen addiction, which is spreading like a plague in society, is also at the top of our agenda,” he said.
Erdoğan added that, as the government, they were considering different regulations on internet and social media, “including stricter supervision and an age limit.”
“We cannot leave our children alone and unattended in the uncontrolled, unruly and threatening climate of digital media. There are no cigarettes or alcohol in my life. We cannot leave our children unattended in the unruly climate of digital media. We cannot stand by and watch the occupation of young minds under the pretext of freedom,” he added.
Turkish government banned access to social media platform Instagram in early August for nearly one week and has been since increasing its pressure on alternative media and digital platforms.