Turkey to implement new social media age restrictions for minors

Turkey is set to implement new social media regulations aimed at protecting minors, with restrictions taking effect on November 1, 2026. Under the new rules, social network services will be prohibited for children under the age of 15.

For users aged 15 to 18, accounts will be restricted from being public, and platforms will be barred from offering live streaming features or personalized advertisements. Age verification will be conducted through the e-Devlet system using a technical “age verification token.” This method is designed to notify social media companies whether a user falls within specific age brackets without transferring sensitive personal data to the platforms.

Existing accounts that have not been verified will have until March 31, 2027, to complete the process before facing restrictions. Authorities have warned of a rise in cybercrime related to these changes, noting that scammers are using fake messages claiming “all accounts will be closed” to trick users into revealing e-Devlet credentials or installing malicious software.