Turkey's parliament has approved legislation that would restrict children under 15 from using social media platforms without parental consent. The measure now awaits President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's signature to become law.

The Turkish government has framed the legislation as a child protection measure, arguing it will safeguard minors from potential online harms. Supporters say the restrictions are necessary to protect children's mental health and privacy in digital spaces.

Critics of the legislation have raised concerns about its broader implications for internet freedom and privacy rights. Opposition voices worry the measure could set precedent for further restrictions on online speech and digital access in Turkey.

The legislation adds Turkey to a growing list of countries implementing age-verification requirements for social media use. Similar debates over balancing child safety with digital rights have emerged in various jurisdictions worldwide as governments grapple with regulating online platforms.

Implementation details, including how age verification would be enforced and what penalties platforms might face for non-compliance, remain unclear pending the president's review of the legislation.