Turkey’s new social media rules introduce age verification and restrictions for younger users. The regulation, published in the Official Gazette on October 10, 2026, bars platforms from providing social media services to children under 15. The rules take effect on November 1, 2026, while existing account holders have until March 31, 2027, to complete age verification.
Who Will Be Restricted Under the New Rules?
Social media platforms must prevent anyone under 15 from creating an account. If age checks identify an existing account holder as under 15, the platform must close the account after the transition period ends on March 31, 2027.
Users aged 15 to 17 may continue using social media, but their accounts will have additional safeguards and limited features.
What Restrictions Apply to Users Aged 15 to 17?
Accounts belonging to users aged 15 to 17 will be private by default. The also restrict several features that can expose children to unwanted contact or encourage extended use:
- Users in this age group cannot livestream.
- Platforms cannot show them personalized advertisements.
- The infinite-scroll feature must be disabled on their accounts.
- Only accounts they follow may send them messages.
- Other users cannot view their follower and following lists.
How Will Social Media Age Verification Work?
Age verification will use a digital token obtained through e-Government, Turkey’s government services platform. Users will sign in to e-Government and request the token through a service provided by the Cyber Security Presidency. They will then provide it to the social media platform to confirm their age category.
The system is designed to confirm whether a user is under 15 or under 18 without sharing personal identity details with social media companies. In other words, platforms receive an age-related result rather than the user’s full identity information.
What Happens If a Platform Suspects an Account Belongs to Someone Under 15?
Platforms may review existing accounts using their own technologies. If a company suspects that an account belongs to a child under 15, it may temporarily suspend access. The user must then verify their age through e-Government to regain access. If verification confirms the user is under 15, the account cannot remain active under the new rules.
Key Dates for the New Social Media Rules
- October 10, 2026: The regulation is published in Turkey’s Official Gazette.
- November 1, 2026: The new requirements begin to apply.
- March 31, 2027: The deadline for existing users to complete age verification; accounts held by users under 15 will be closed after the transition period.
What Existing Users Need to Know
Existing account holders should complete the required age check by March 31, 2027. Users aged 15 to 17 can keep using social media, but their accounts will be subject to the new privacy and feature restrictions. Users under 15 will not be allowed to retain social media accounts once the transition period ends.
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