Schedule announced for social media age verification and under-18 restrictions
The schedule for the e-Government integrated age verification model, which will be implemented to protect children from cyber risks, has been announced.
Details of the age verification model prepared to protect children from digital addiction and cyber risks in Turkey have been clarified. Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced that mandatory e-Government integrated age verification will be introduced by November 1 for new accounts and by March 31 for existing accounts.
Age Verification Schedule
The new regulation will come into effect gradually in two phases. Starting November 1 for new accounts, all users wishing to open a new profile on social media platforms will be required to complete the age verification step.
All existing user accounts previously opened on social networks will be subjected to the age verification filter by March 31.
Verification via e-Government
The process will operate through a secure code mechanism without sharing personal data with the platforms.
The user will enter a single-use digital verification code generated through the e-Government gateway into the social media platform, and their age will be confirmed without sharing identity data.
Rules by Age Groups
In the new model, rules are clearly separated by age groups. Children under 15 will not be able to open accounts or access social media platforms in any way.
Those between the ages of 15 and 18 will be able to use the platforms through a segregated and filtered special safe mode.
Young User Restrictions
A series of restrictions will be activated for young users to prevent algorithmic addiction and cyberbullying.
Taking screenshots will be prevented, the infinite scrolling mechanism will be disabled, and the feature of initiating live broadcasts will be deactivated.