Social Media Ban Under Age 15 and Age Verification Regulation

Prepared by the Presidency of Cybersecurity Directorate to protect children from risks in digital environments, the Regulation on the Provision of Differentiated Services Specific to Children by Social Network Providers and Age Verification was published in the Official Gazette dated October 10, 2026, initiating its entry into force.

Purpose of the Regulation and the Preparing Authority

Prepared by the Presidency of Cybersecurity Directorate with the aim of protecting children from risks in digital environments, the Regulation on the Provision of Differentiated Services Specific to Children by Social Network Providers and Age Verification was announced to the public on October 10, 2026.

The regulation in question was published in the Official Gazette with the objective of minimizing the negative situations children may encounter in online mediums and creating a secure digital space.

Ban Decision for Children Under 15

In accordance with the provisions of the regulation, children under the age of 15 are prohibited from opening social media accounts, and requests by individuals in this age group to open new accounts will be strictly rejected.

With this measure taken, it is aimed to prevent objectionable content and security vulnerabilities that young users might encounter on social networks.

Mandatory Age Verification via e-Government

Age verification has been made mandatory for existing user accounts on social media platforms, and it has been announced that this process will be carried out through an age verification token to be generated via the e-Government Gateway.

The deadline determined for current account holders to fully complete their age verification procedures has officially been recorded as March 31, 2027.

Measures for Youths Between 15 and 18 Years of Age

Various protective measures have been activated on platforms for minor users over the age of 15, introducing restrictions such as accounts being private by default and the inability to broadcast live streams.

These rules, introduced to enhance the safety of children in this age group, will be enforced within the platforms by social media providers.