Türkiye to bar children under 15 from social networks from Nov. 1

From Nov. 1, 2026, social networks in Türkiye may not serve children under 15, with users’ ages to be verified through the e-Devlet state portal.

A regulation drafted by the Presidency's Cybersecurity Directorate was published in Türkiye's Official Gazette on Oct. 10, 2026. It takes effect on Nov. 1 and bars social network providers from serving children under 15.

The rule covers all domestic and foreign networks accessible from Türkiye. Ages will be checked at sign-up with an "age verification token" generated on the e-Devlet portal, which shows only whether a user has turned 15 or 18.

Social network apps on a smartphone screen

Accounts of users aged 15 to 18 will be private by default, with no live streaming or personalized ads, and messages only from followed accounts. Parents will be able to manage settings and limit screen time.

Age checks on existing accounts must be completed by March 31, 2027, and accounts of users under 15 will be closed.