Turkey Bans Social Media for Under-15s in New Official Regulation
Turkey's Official Gazette has published a regulation banning social media providers from serving users under 15, requiring verified age checks through the e-Devlet government portal, and creating a protected environment for users aged 15 to 18, effective November 1, 2026.
Key points
- Turkey bans social media platforms from serving users under 15
- Users aged 15–18 get a separate environment with maximum safety measures
- Age verification through a verified code from the e-Devlet portal
- Private mode on by default for minors; live streaming and targeted ads banned
- Regulation takes effect on November 1, 2026
What Does Turkey's Social Media Age Regulation Say?
Turkey's Official Gazette published the regulation on age restrictions for social media platforms. It prohibits social network providers from offering their services to anyone under the age of 15, and requires platforms to create a separate usage environment for the 15–18 age group that applies the highest safety and privacy standards for children. Turkey hosts one of the world's largest refugee populations, including over three million Syrians, so the rules touch millions of families living in the country.
- Ban on providing services to users under 15
- Separate environment for ages 15–18
- Age verification via a verified digital code from the e-Devlet government portal
Protections for Minors: Private Mode, No Live Streaming, No Targeted Ads
The regulation requires platforms to enable private mode by default for minors' accounts, meaning accounts are non-public from the moment of creation without any manual setting change. Live streaming is banned for this age group, targeted advertising to them is prohibited, and automatic content scrolling — the feature that keeps users watching without a conscious choice — must be disabled.
- Private mode on by default for minors
- Live streaming and targeted ads banned
- Automatic content scrolling disabled
What Does This Mean for Syrians in Turkey?
Syrians living in Turkey — one of the largest refugee communities in the country — will be directly affected if their children use social media. From November 1, 2026, children under 15 will not be able to open new accounts, and users aged 15 to 18 will need to prove their age through a verified digital code obtained from the e-Devlet portal, the official gateway through which residents of Turkey access government e-services.
Does the Regulation Apply to Existing Accounts?
Yes. The regulation does not only cover new accounts; platforms have been given a deadline to verify the ages of existing account holders, ending on March 31, 2027. Current users are expected to complete age verification before that date, after which platforms must apply the measures the regulation imposes.
- Deadline for verifying existing accounts: March 31, 2027
- Regulation enters into force on November 1, 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum age for social media in Turkey?
Under the new regulation published in Turkey's Official Gazette, social media platforms are banned from providing services to anyone under 15. Users aged 15 to 18 will access a separate environment applying the highest safety and privacy standards for children.
How is age verification done on social media in Turkey?
Age is verified through a verified digital code issued via Turkey's e-Devlet electronic government portal, the official method the regulation adopted for proving a user's age when creating an account or verifying existing ones.
When does Turkey's social media age ban take effect?
The regulation enters into force on November 1, 2026. Existing accounts have been given a grace period for age verification that ends on March 31, 2027.
Does this Turkish regulation affect internet users in Syria?
No. The regulation is Turkish and applies only to social media users inside Turkey. It has no bearing on internet or platform policies in Syria or other countries.
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