Social media usage and account creation restrictions for those under 15
With the regulation published in the Official Gazette, social media use is banned for children under 15, while age verification via the e-Government infrastructure and strict security measures have become mandatory for the 15-18 age group.
The Regulation on the Provision of Differentiated Services Specific to Children and Age Verification by Social Network Providers enters into force on November 1, 2026. Within the scope of the new regulation, individuals under the age of 15 are banned from opening social media accounts, while users aged 15-18 are subject to age verification via e-Government and various digital security restrictions.
Scope of the New Regulation
The regulation published in the Official Gazette imposes comprehensive obligations on social network providers to protect child users. Requests by individuals under the age of 15 to open accounts on social media platforms will now be directly rejected.
Age Verification Process
Age verification processes will be carried out using an 'age verification token' via the e-Government Gateway infrastructure provided by the Cyber Security Presidency. While passport data will be used for foreign national users, potential objections will be evaluated through human review.
Existing social media users are required to comply with the newly established rules and complete age verification processes by March 31, 2027.
Security Measures for the 15-18 Age Group
For users between the ages of 15 and 18, default private profiles, a ban on live streaming, a block on personalized ads, and infinite scrolling restrictions are being implemented. Additionally, parental control tools that allow parents to monitor their children's digital activities have been made mandatory.
Within the scope of technical measures, specific security precautions such as the removal of 'read' receipts in messages, a block on taking screenshots, and the prohibition of contact list and email synchronization will be applied.