{"id":2300,"date":"2026-04-18T13:42:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T10:42:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/?p=2300"},"modified":"2026-07-09T13:28:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T10:28:54","slug":"pubg-mobile-turkey-school-shootings-statement-ban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gamermarkt.com\/blog\/pubg-mobile-turkey-school-shootings-statement-ban\/","title":{"rendered":"PUBG Mobile T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Statement on the School Attacks: Security and Ban Debate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Following the consecutive school attacks that took place on April 14 and 15, 2026, in Siverek, \u015eanl\u0131urfa, and Oniki\u015fubat, Kahramanmara\u015f, PUBG Mobile T\u00fcrkiye 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 T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s history, the digital gaming world was also drawn into the center of the debate.<\/p>\n\n

What Did PUBG Mobile T\u00fcrkiye Announce?<\/h2>\n\n

In its official statement, PUBG Mobile T\u00fcrkiye said: \u201cWe are deeply saddened by the attacks targeting educational institutions in \u015eanl\u0131urfa and Kahramanmara\u015f. 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.\u201d The company also expressed its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.<\/p>\n\n

In the second part of the statement, the company emphasized its commitment to responsible gaming and the protection of social sensitivities. \u201cAs 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,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n\n

What Happened in the Attacks?<\/h2>\n\n

On April 14, 2026, in the Siverek district of \u015eanl\u0131urfa, a 19-year-old former student, \u00d6mer 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 \u00c7al\u0131k Middle School in Oniki\u015fubat, Kahramanmara\u015f, a 14-year-old 8th grade student, \u0130sa 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.<\/p>\n\n

The Kahramanmara\u015f attack was recorded as the deadliest school attack in T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s history. It was reported that mathematics teacher Ayla Kara tried to protect her students by throwing herself over them during the attack.<\/p>\n\n

The Debate Over Whether the Attacker Played PUBG<\/h2>\n\n

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 Kahramanmara\u015f attacker, \u0130. A. M., was examined, it was revealed that PUBG was not among the games he played. The game found on the attacker\u2019s computer was \u201cCarbine,\u201d a Roblox game simulating the Columbine school massacre.<\/p>\n\n

Therefore, the factual basis for directly linking PUBG to these attacks is weak. Nevertheless, the game once again became a topic of public debate.<\/p>\n\n

Will PUBG Be Banned in T\u00fcrkiye?<\/h2>\n\n

One of the most frequently asked questions is whether PUBG Mobile will face an access ban in T\u00fcrkiye. 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.<\/p>\n\n

According to Sporx, the T\u00fcrkiye 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.<\/p>\n\n

Digital Games and Violence: What Does Science Say?<\/h2>\n\n

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 \u201cnothing\u201d 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, \u201cAttributing violence to video games is not scientifically sound and is a distracting approach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Cybersecurity and Social Media Response<\/h2>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

A Telegram group called \u201cC31K,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n

PUBG Bans in Other Countries: Past Experiences<\/h2>\n\n

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 \u201cBattlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI).\u201d In Afghanistan, the Taliban administration banned the game in 2022 on the grounds that it \u201cpromoted violence.\u201d In Indonesia, following a school attack in November 2025, the government initiated discussions about restricting PUBG by name.<\/p>\n\n

However, it is known that in most of these bans, players continued to access the game through methods such as VPNs. T\u00fcrkiye had previously imposed an access ban on Roblox; for now, no such step has been taken for PUBG.<\/p>\n\n

Questions Players and the Public Are Asking<\/h2>\n\n

Will PUBG Mobile servers shut down?<\/strong> As of April 2026, the T\u00fcrkiye servers are active. There is no official restriction decision from BTK. However, the inter-ministerial review is ongoing.<\/p>\n\n

Did the attacker really play PUBG?<\/strong> It was determined that PUBG was not present in the Steam account of the Kahramanmara\u015f attacker. A Roblox game simulating Columbine was found on his computer.<\/p>\n\n

What will happen to my account?<\/strong> In the event of a possible access restriction, accounts would not be deleted; however, access from T\u00fcrkiye might not be possible without a VPN. Therefore, keeping your account information up to date and enabling 2FA is critical.<\/p>\n\n

Conclusion: Staying Calm and Reaching Accurate Information Matters<\/h2>\n\n

T\u00fcrkiye is facing deep social pain caused by two consecutive school attacks. The statement published by PUBG Mobile T\u00fcrkiye 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.<\/p>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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