Turkey bans social media access for users under 15
ISTANBUL, April 23: Turkish lawmakers have passed a bill restricting social media access for children under 15, marking a significant move in the country’s efforts to regulate online activity among minors. The legislation, reported by state media, requires platforms to implement age-verification systems, provide parental control tools, and respond quickly to content deemed harmful.
The move comes shortly after a deadly school shooting in Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey, where a 14-year-old boy killed nine students and a teacher before dying himself. Authorities are investigating his online activity to determine possible influences and motives.
Under the new law, major platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram will be required to block users under 15 from creating accounts. Companies will also need to strengthen safeguards for children and ensure compliance with local regulations. Online gaming companies will be required to appoint representatives in Turkey, while enforcement measures may include fines and bandwidth restrictions imposed by communications regulators.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan must approve the bill within 15 days for it to become law. He has previously warned about the risks of digital platforms, saying they can negatively affect children’s mental well-being and safety.
The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) criticized the legislation, arguing that children should be protected through rights-based policies rather than outright bans.
The bill reflects a broader global trend toward tighter regulation of children’s online access. Similar measures have been introduced or considered in countries such as Australia, Indonesia, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom, amid growing concerns about exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying, addiction, and online scams.
Turkey’s government has also faced criticism for tightening control over online platforms more broadly, especially during periods of political unrest when social media access has been restricted. Despite debate over digital freedoms, authorities say the new law is aimed at protecting children from increasing online risks. (AP)
Pope concludes Africa tour with Equatorial Guinea Mass
Malabo, April 23: Pope Leo XIV concluded his 11-day African tour with a final Mass in Equatorial Guinea, wrapping up a wide-ranging journey across four countries that included Algeria, Cameroon, and Angola. The visit, described as one of the most eventful papal trips in recent history, covered more than 17,000 km and featured 18 flights.
Despite heavy rain in Malabo, thousands gathered before dawn for the final Mass at a stadium, where the pope arrived in the popemobile to an enthusiastic crowd. The visit marked his first trip to Africa and included large public gatherings, emotional encounters, and stops at hospitals, prisons, and religious sites.
Throughout the tour, Pope Leo delivered messages focused on peace, hope, and opposition to what he called the exploitation of Africa’s natural resources by foreign interests. In Cameroon, he appealed for peace in conflict zones, while in Angola he prayed at a historic pilgrimage site linked to the slave trade.
The trip also included personal and symbolic moments, such as visiting psychiatric patients in Equatorial Guinea, engaging directly with inmates at a prison in Bata, and meeting members of his Augustinian religious order in Algeria. In several locations, he emphasized human dignity and reconciliation.
The visit gained unexpected global attention due to public exchanges between the pope and Donald Trump over political and media interpretations of his statements, though tensions later eased.
Locally, the trip was seen as spiritually significant, with large crowds expressing gratitude for the papal visit. The pope also marked the anniversary of Pope Francis’ death during the journey and engaged informally with journalists and communities along the route.
Overall, the tour combined religious outreach, political messaging, and humanitarian themes, reinforcing the Vatican’s presence in Africa while highlighting social and economic challenges across the continent. (AP)
