15 Age Limit and e-Government Verification on Social Media Begin in Turkey
Starting November 1, 2026, children under 15 are banned from opening social media accounts in Turkey. With the age verification process via e-Devlet, restrictions such as private accounts and live broadcast bans will also be implemented for users aged 15-18.
The "Regulation on the Provision of Child-Specific Segregated Services by Social Network Providers and Age Verification," aimed at protecting children from risks in the digital world in Turkey, comes into effect on November 1, 2026. With the new regulation, access to platforms for children under 15 is restricted, while an e-Devlet-based verification process is launched for existing users.
Age Verification and Transition Process
As of November 1, social network providers will not be able to provide services to children who have not completed the age of 15. A special verification token generated via e-Devlet (turkiye.gov.tr) will be used for age detection. Existing account holders will be given until March 31, 2027, to verify their ages; accounts that are not verified or remain under the age limit by this date will be closed after notification.
Special Restrictions for the 15-18 Age Group
A default private account model will be applied on platforms for youth between the ages of 15 and 18. Users in this age group will not be able to open public accounts, conduct live broadcasts, or encounter personalized commercial advertisements. Additionally, messaging features will be restricted to allow only followed individuals to send messages, and "read" receipts cannot be shared. Technical measures preventing screenshots of profiles and posts will also be implemented.
Security Warnings and Statistics
It is predicted that the social media usage rate among children aged 6-15 in Turkey is at 66.1 percent and that the regulation will affect approximately 8 million children. The Cybersecurity Presidency warned citizens against fraudsters seeking to exploit the age verification process, stating that caution should be exercised against attempts made through fake e-Devlet sites and SMS links.