How to protect children from harmful content
The joint work carried out by the ministries to ensure the safety of children on the internet and protect them from harmful content of the internet has been completed.
As a result of the study, an action plan was prepared. According to the information obtained by Habertürk, the details of the draft study are as follows:
VIRTUAL BULLYING AND MANIPULATIVE ADVERTISING
The rapid development of digital technologies and the start of internet use at a very early age offer great opportunities for children in terms of rapid access to education and information, but also pose serious risks.
Harmful content, cyberbullying, personal data breaches and manipulative advertisements threaten the physical, emotional and psychological health of children. Inappropriate content, especially those exposed to social media platforms and online games, leaves deep scars on children’s development. Cases of cyberbullying can lead to loss of self-confidence, social isolation and even serious psychological trauma in children.
ACTION PLAN
The underlying risks and problems faced by children lie in the unconscious use of the internet, the limited awareness of parents and educators about digital security, and the failure of platforms to adequately fulfill their responsibilities. For these reasons, it is imperative to implement a solution-oriented action plan with a comprehensive approach to protect children from the risks in the virtual world.
LEGAL REGULATION IS NEEDED
The solution to the problems will not be limited to individual awareness or family control. Legal regulations will increase the obligations of technology companies, create safe digital spaces specifically for children, require age verification systems on certain platforms, and expand digital literacy training.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE LAW?
The legal regulation work carried out by the Ministry of Family and Social Services includes the following elements:
– As a result of examining world examples, a legal regulation will be made that will create a model specific to Turkey.
– The aim is not to ban a platform directly; To service providers, social media platforms and digital game producers who want to operate in Turkey; Imposing an obligation to take specific and reasonable steps, such as first using age verification systems, to ensure that users are identified as a child,
– The principles to be followed and the technology to be used must be carried out in accordance with the guidelines to be created by an independent institution determined by the legislation,
– The age criterion to be taken into account in the restriction should be determined gradually, starting from 16 years of age, but in line with other fundamental laws and by taking expert opinions;
– Preventing elements that may be harmful to children in the content offered to children, – Preventing acts of cyberbullying against children, presenting personalized advertisements on online platforms and carrying out behavioral advertising activities aimed at manipulating children’s consumption habits, protecting children’s personal data,
– Imposing various sanctions on those concerned who do not comply with the determined obligations,
– Imposition of a number of new obligations for parents as an extension of the obligation of care and supervision;
MINISTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS ARE WORKING
It is planned to create a model based on the cooperation of the IT sector and parents in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Information Technologies and Communication Authority and the Ministry of National Education.
GRADED AGE VERIFICATION
A gradual implementation is being considered at the age limit of 16. For example, while parental consent is mandatory for those under 13; Content offered to this age group will be monitored more strictly.
Since verification based only on simple age entry will be insufficient, more secure methods such as Biometric verification, identity verification services or parental control applications will be used.
Platforms will classify their content according to age appropriateness and allow parents to set filters
Platforms will create effective mechanisms for the rapid removal of harmful content (violence, abuse, hate speech, etc.).
In this regard, it is important that reporting mechanisms are easily accessible and effective…
Platforms will have to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against cyberbullying. Fast and effective sanctions will be applied to users who exhibit such behavior.
Easy and accessible mechanisms will be provided to report incidents of bullying and these reports will be processed quickly.
Education and awareness activities regarding cyber bullying will be organized for children and parents.
PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA
Platforms will be able to collect only necessary data from children. Transparency will be provided about how data is used.
BEHAVIORAL ADVERTISING
Behavioral advertising activities aimed at manipulating children’s consumption habits will be strictly prevented. Contextual ads will be preferred instead of personalized ads.
PARENTAL CONTROL
Parents will be provided with effective control tools that allow them to monitor and manage their children’s online activities.
Digital literacy courses will be integrated into the school curriculum and children will be informed about the safe and conscious use of the internet. Training programs will be organized to increase parents’ awareness of digital security.
INDEPENDENT AUDIT MECHANISM
An independent institution will be established to monitor the effectiveness of legal regulations and this institution will have the authority to impose sanctions.
These recommendations aim to ensure that children have a safer experience on the internet, taking into account both international practices and current academic data.