Social media regulation: Live broadcasting, screen recording, and read receipts banned for ages 15-18
While social media is banned for children under 15 with the new regulation, certain features are being disabled for teenagers aged 15-18.
With the new regulation by the Presidency's Directorate of Cybersecurity, children under the age of 15 are banned from using social media. Accounts of teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18 will not feature screen recording, live broadcasting, and read receipt functions.
Ban on Children Under 15
Social network providers will no longer be able to provide services to children who have not reached the age of 15. In this context, age limits have been clarified for platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Age Verification via e-Government
Network providers will verify the user's age during the account creation stage using an age verification token via e-Government. Account creation requests for children who have not reached the age of 15 will not be approved.
Restrictions for Ages 15-18
Children over the age of 15 will be able to use social media under segregated service terms. Users in this group will not be able to take screen recordings or start live broadcasts.
Read Receipts and Addictive Features
The read receipt feature used in messaging will not be present in accounts aged 15-18. Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş stated that addictive elements such as scrolling and endless scrolling will also not be included.
Effective Date and Existing Accounts
Published in the Official Gazette on October 10, the regulation will enter into force on November 1. Age verification procedures for existing accounts must be completed by March 31, 2027.
Criticism of the Regulation
The Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD) stated that this regulation will eliminate the right to anonymity and lead to self-censorship.