PUBG Mobile Turkey issued a formal statement condemning the April 2026 school shootings. Here’s what it means for the video game violence debate, potential bans
Following the consecutive school attacks that took place on April 14 and 15, 2026, in Siverek, Şanlıurfa, and Onikişubat, Kahramanmaraş, PUBG Mobile Türkiye published a comprehensive message of condemnation and condolence through its official X account. As these incidents, in which a total of 10 people lost their lives and more than 29 were injured, were recorded as the deadliest school attacks in Türkiye’s history, the digital gaming world was also drawn into the center of the debate.
What Did PUBG Mobile Türkiye Announce?
In its official statement, PUBG Mobile Türkiye said: “We are deeply saddened by the attacks targeting educational institutions in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş. We believe that schools should symbolize trust, peace, and protection for children and young people, and we do not accept violence directed at these spaces under any circumstances.” The company also expressed its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
In the second part of the statement, the company emphasized its commitment to responsible gaming and the protection of social sensitivities. “As PUBG Mobile, we always prioritize the safety of our players and a healthy, positive digital environment. We will continue to stand against all forms of violence that threaten the peace and security of society,” the statement said.
What Happened in the Attacks?
On April 14, 2026, in the Siverek district of Şanlıurfa, a 19-year-old former student, Ömer K., opened fire with a pump-action shotgun at Ahmet Koyuncu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, injuring 16 people before taking his own life. Just 28 hours later, on April 15, at Ayser Çalık Middle School in Onikişubat, Kahramanmaraş, a 14-year-old 8th grade student, İsa A. M., entered the school with 5 handguns and 7 magazines belonging to his father, killing 9 people (1 teacher and 8 students) and injuring 13 others. Later, another injured victim died in hospital, bringing the death toll to 10.
The Kahramanmaraş attack was recorded as the deadliest school attack in Türkiye’s history. It was reported that mathematics teacher Ayla Kara tried to protect her students by throwing herself over them during the attack.
The Debate Over Whether the Attacker Played PUBG
After the incidents, some media outlets and columnists linked the attackers to games such as PUBG, Fortnite, Call of Duty, and GTA V. However, when the Steam account of the Kahramanmaraş attacker, İ. A. M., was examined, it was revealed that PUBG was not among the games he played. The game found on the attacker’s computer was “Carbine,” a Roblox game simulating the Columbine school massacre.
Therefore, the factual basis for directly linking PUBG to these attacks is weak. Nevertheless, the game once again became a topic of public debate.
Will PUBG Be Banned in Türkiye?
One of the most frequently asked questions is whether PUBG Mobile will face an access ban in Türkiye. As of April 2026, there is no official access restriction decision by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) regarding PUBG Mobile. It is reported that a comprehensive study has been launched under the coordination of the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Family and Social Services to examine the effects of digital games on young people.
According to Sporx, the Türkiye servers remain fully active, and millions of players are able to log into their accounts without any issues. However, it is being discussed that new restrictions, such as stricter age verification or mandatory parental control requirements, could be introduced.
Digital Games and Violence: What Does Science Say?
The relationship between violent games and real-world violence has been studied for decades. A comprehensive 2019 study led by Andrew Przybylski from Oxford University found “nothing” to support the idea that violent video games drive players toward violence in real life. In a statement published in 2020, the American Psychological Association (APA) said, “Attributing violence to video games is not scientifically sound and is a distracting approach.”
On the other hand, some studies suggest that violent games may slightly increase verbal and physical aggression in individuals who already have aggressive tendencies. However, this correlation does not imply causation. According to FBI data, 80 percent of school attackers since 1990 had shown no interest in violent video games.
Türkiye’s Cybersecurity and Social Media Response
Following the attacks, security forces quickly launched a digital operation. The Cyber Crimes Department of the General Directorate of Security initiated action against 591 social media accounts and detained 411 individuals. Arrest warrants were issued for 83 people who praised the attackers. Access was blocked to 940 social media accounts and 1,866 URLs, and 111 Telegram groups were shut down.
A Telegram group called “C31K,” with approximately 100,000 members, was shut down on April 16 for sharing content praising the attackers and spreading false dates for new attacks. The following day, one of its founders was arrested.
PUBG Bans in Other Countries: Past Experiences
PUBG Mobile has previously faced bans in different countries. India banned PUBG Mobile in 2020 as part of restrictions on Chinese-origin applications, although the game later returned under the name “Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI).” In Afghanistan, the Taliban administration banned the game in 2022 on the grounds that it “promoted violence.” In Indonesia, following a school attack in November 2025, the government initiated discussions about restricting PUBG by name.
However, it is known that in most of these bans, players continued to access the game through methods such as VPNs. Türkiye had previously imposed an access ban on Roblox; for now, no such step has been taken for PUBG.
Questions Players and the Public Are Asking
Will PUBG Mobile servers shut down? As of April 2026, the Türkiye servers are active. There is no official restriction decision from BTK. However, the inter-ministerial review is ongoing.
Did the attacker really play PUBG? It was determined that PUBG was not present in the Steam account of the Kahramanmaraş attacker. A Roblox game simulating Columbine was found on his computer.
What will happen to my account? In the event of a possible access restriction, accounts would not be deleted; however, access from Türkiye might not be possible without a VPN. Therefore, keeping your account information up to date and enabling 2FA is critical.
Conclusion: Staying Calm and Reaching Accurate Information Matters
Türkiye is facing deep social pain caused by two consecutive school attacks. The statement published by PUBG Mobile Türkiye shows that digital gaming platforms are not indifferent to social events. However, placing the responsibility for these incidents solely on digital games does not align with the scientific literature.
As players, the most appropriate thing to do is to follow official sources for information and support social solidarity during this difficult period. As GamerMarkt, we also strongly condemn these tragic incidents, extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and wish mercy upon the deceased. We believe that such attacks, which wound the conscience of society as a whole, are unacceptable under any circumstances, and we emphasize that rather than associating the digital gaming ecosystem with crime, it should be addressed through the framework of conscious use, education, and social awareness. We will continue to act with the understanding that the gaming world is not only about entertainment, but also about responsibility.
