Türkiye will introduce new social media restrictions for children under 15 on November 1, 2026. The regulations aim to improve online safety for young users. The Turkish government published the rules in the Official Gazette on October 10. The move follows legislation approved by parliament in April. Under the new regulations, social media platforms cannot provide services to children under 15. Companies must introduce age verification systems and additional safeguards to enforce the restrictions. The government aims to reduce children’s exposure to harmful online content. The policy also seeks to strengthen protections for young people using digital platforms.
Social media platforms must verify users’ ages
Social media companies must establish systems to confirm users meet the minimum age requirement. They must also take technical and administrative steps to enforce the rules. The requirements apply to existing accounts as well as new registrations. Platforms must complete age checks for existing accounts by March 31, 2027. Companies must close accounts identified as belonging to children under 15. They must also ensure their verification systems protect users’ personal information. These requirements place greater responsibility on platforms to prevent underage access. Companies will need to review their existing policies and update their systems before the rules take effect.
Additional protections for teenagers
The new rules also introduce separate safeguards for users aged 15 to 17. Their accounts must remain private by default. Platforms must restrict certain features for this age group. These include livestreaming and personalized advertising. Infinite-scrolling feeds will also face restrictions. Teenagers will only receive messages from accounts they follow. Their follower and following lists must remain hidden from other users. These measures aim to reduce unwanted contact and exposure to harmful online content. They also seek to give teenagers a safer social media experience.
Parental controls receive more attention
The regulations require platforms to provide parental control tools. Parents will be able to manage their children’s account settings and screen time. They will also receive tools to approve purchases and other paid transactions. These features aim to give families more control over children’s online activities. The measures reflect growing concerns about children’s digital safety. These concerns include cyberbullying, excessive screen time and exposure to harmful content.
Türkiye joins the wider debate on social media restrictions
Several countries have considered or introduced age-based restrictions on social media. Governments have raised concerns about children’s online safety and mental well-being. Supporters say age limits can help protect young users from digital risks. However, critics have raised concerns about privacy, freedom of expression and the practical challenges of age verification. The new Turkish regulations add to the international debate over children’s access to social media. Their implementation will depend on how platforms enforce age limits and protect users’ information. The Turkiye social media ban for under-15s takes effect Nov 1 marks a significant change for young internet users. Social media companies must prepare their systems to meet the new requirements.
Parents and teenagers will also need to understand how the restrictions affect their accounts. The implementation process will show how effectively the new rules work in practice.