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Turkey bans social media access for children under 15
Turkey has officially published a new regulation in the Official Gazette aimed at protecting children on social media platforms. Prepared by the Presidency of Cybersecurity, the rules prohibit social media service providers from offering services to children under the age of 15. The regulation is set to take effect on November 1, 2026.
To ensure compliance, platforms must implement age verification processes using a digital token issued through the e-Devlet administrative portal. This method is designed to confirm a user's age category without sharing sensitive personal identity information with the platforms. Existing accounts must undergo age verification by March 31, 2027; those found to belong to users under 15 will be closed.
For users aged 15 to 18, the regulation mandates specialized safety and privacy settings. These accounts will be private by default, with restricted visibility of follower and following lists. Additionally, live streaming capabilities and personalized commercial advertising are prohibited for this age group. To combat digital addiction, platforms are also restricted from using features like infinite scrolling or automated content presentation for minors.
Furthermore, the regulation introduces parental control tools. Parents will be able to manage account settings, monitor and limit screen time, and require approval for paid transactions and location sharing. The Ministry of Family and Social Services noted that these measures are intended to safeguard children's physical, mental, and social development in the digital environment.
Entities
Cyber Security Presidency · EDAM · Economic and Foreign Policy Research Center · Freedom of Expression Association · Grand National Assembly of Turkey · Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş · Official Gazette · Presidency Cybersecurity Directorate · Presidency of Cyber Security · Presidency of Cybersecurity · Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye · Turkey
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 17 SOURCES] The regulation was published in the Official Gazette on October 10, 2026. dijitaliyidir.com · ufukturu.net · www.cnbce.com · www.ekoturk.com · www.marasmanset.com · +9 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] The regulation will enter into force on November 1, 2026. dijitaliyidir.com · ufukturu.net · www.cnbce.com · www.ekoturk.com · www.marasmanset.com · +9 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Users aged 15 to 18 will be subject to restricted services, including private accounts by default, no live streaming, and no personalized advertising. dijitaliyidir.com · ufukturu.net · www.ekoturk.com · ogunhaber.com · www.gazetebirlik.com · +1 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] Social network providers are prohibited from providing services to children under the age of 15. dijitaliyidir.com · ufukturu.net · www.cnbce.com · www.ekoturk.com · www.marasmanset.com · +9 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] Age verification must be conducted via the e-Devlet system using an age verification token. dijitaliyidir.com · ufukturu.net · www.cnbce.com · www.ekoturk.com · www.marasmanset.com · +9 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] The regulation was prepared by the Presidency of Cyber Security. dijitaliyidir.com · ufukturu.net · www.cnbce.com · www.ekoturk.com · www.marasmanset.com · +9 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Platforms must provide parental control tools to manage screen time, account settings, and financial transactions. dijitaliyidir.com · ufukturu.net · www.ekoturk.com · halktv.com.tr
- [● 10 SOURCES] Existing users must complete age verification by March 31, 2027. dijitaliyidir.com · ufukturu.net · www.ekoturk.com · ogunhaber.com · sanayigazetesi.com.tr · +3 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Existing accounts must complete age verification by March 31, 2027. dijitaliyidir.com · www.diken.com.tr · sanayigazetesi.com.tr · halktv.com.tr
- [● 7 SOURCES] Users aged 15-17 are prohibited from using live streaming features. dijitaliyidir.com · www.ekoturk.com · www.marasmanset.com · ogunhaber.com · www.gazetebirlik.com · +1 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] Age verification will be performed using an e-Devlet age verification token. dijitaliyidir.com · ufukturu.net · www.cnbce.com · www.ekoturk.com · www.marasmanset.com · +7 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] 84% of parents believe the decision to allow social media use should rest with the family. www.tv5.com.tr