Social media access restricted for under-15s by regulation published in the Official Gazette
With the new regulation published in the Official Gazette, access to social networks is banned for children under 15, while an e-Government verified segregated service model and parental control are made mandatory for those aged 15-18.
Prepared by the Presidency of Cybersecurity and published in the Official Gazette, the new regulation aims to enhance the safety of children on digital platforms. Within the scope of the regulation, access to social network services is banned for children who have not turned 15, while special restrictions and a mandatory age verification via e-Government are introduced for teenagers aged 15-18.
New Regulation Published in the Official Gazette
The Regulation on the Provision of Child-Specific Segregated Services by Social Network Providers and Age Verification, prepared by the Presidency of Cybersecurity, has been published in the Official Gazette.
With this new regulation, the practices and responsibilities of social media platforms regarding the protection of children have been officially redefined.
Access Ban for Under 15s
In accordance with the published regulation, the access of children who have not turned 15 to social network services will be completely blocked.
Requests from this age group to open new accounts on the platforms will be directly rejected, and their existing accounts will be closed.
Segregated Service for Ages 15-18
A child-specific segregated service model will be implemented for teenagers between the ages of fifteen and eighteen.
Within this scope, accounts will be kept private by default, and starting live broadcasts as well as personalized advertising will be prohibited.
Age Verification via e-Government
User age verification will be carried out through the e-Government Gateway without identity identification, using only a token or document indicating the age threshold.
It is mandatory to complete age verification processes for existing accounts by March 31, 2027.
Gaming Platforms and Parental Controls
The regulation also covers online gaming platforms, imposing an obligation on game providers to offer age ratings.
Tools will be provided enabling parents to limit their children's usage time and approve paid transactions.
Enforcement and Implementation Schedule
The regulation, which will enter into force on November 1, 2026 for newly opened accounts, opens the door to a new era in digital platforms.
The schedule determined for the compliance process and age verifications of existing accounts will be meticulously implemented.