By Bosphorus News Türkiye Desk
Social media companies serving users in Türkiye must bar children under 15 from November 1, under a regulation published in the Official Gazette on October 10. Teenagers aged 15 to 17 will face tighter restrictions on their accounts.
The regulation, prepared by the Presidency's Cybersecurity Directorate, requires age checks when accounts are opened. Verification will use an e-Devlet token confirming whether a user meets the 15 or 18 age threshold, without sharing identity details with the platform. Applications from children under 15 must be rejected.
Accounts for 15- to 17-year-olds must be private by default. Livestreaming and personalized advertising will be prohibited, while messaging will be limited to accounts they follow. Companies must also provide parental controls for screen time, purchases and account settings.
Platforms have until March 31, 2027, to verify the ages of existing users and close accounts held by children under 15. The regulation follows amendments to Türkiye's internet legislation adopted in April.
Sources: Official Gazette (October 10, 2026), Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (Law No. 7578), Bosphorus News review and reporting.