Turkey Bans Social Media for Children Under 15 After School Shootings

Turkey’s parliament passed a law banning social media for users under 15 after two school shootings left nine dead; the measure awaits presidential approval and will start in six months. In other news, the U.S. military intercepted three Iranian‑flagged tankers in Asian waters, and a head‑on train crash north of Copenhagen injured 17 people.

Legislators voted on Wednesday to protect minors from harmful online content. The bill requires platforms to verify ages, strengthen parental controls, and remove material deemed harmful to children. It also bans child‑targeted advertising that is deceptive or imposes financial penalties for non‑compliance, including possible bandwidth cuts of up to 90 percent.

The push for stricter rules intensified after shootings in southeastern Türkiye revealed that the perpetrators, including a 14‑year‑old, were active players of violent online games. Australia became the first country to ban social media for under‑16s last December, and several nations are now weighing similar steps.

Key facts: Turkey’s ban targets users under 15 and will take effect six months after presidential signature. The U.S. military intercepted at least three Iranian‑flagged tankers in Asian waters and is redirecting them away from positions near India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. On April 23, two trains collided head‑on north of Copenhagen, injuring 17 people, five of them critically.

The law means social media firms must build age‑gating tools or risk losing advertising revenue in Turkey. Parents will gain new controls to limit screen time and in‑app purchases, though enforcement depends on platforms’ ability to verify age accurately. Critics warn that overly broad bans could push youth to unregulated sites, while supporters argue it curbs exposure to harmful content.

What to watch next: Whether President Erdoğan signs the bill within the next two weeks, how quickly platforms implement age verification, and any legal challenges that may arise from tech companies or civil society groups.