Türkiye bans social media access for children under 15

ANKARA — Türkiye has banned social media platforms from providing services to children under the age of 15 under new regulations published Saturday in the country’s Official Gazette.The regulations, issued by the Cyber Security Directorate, prohibit social network providers from allowing children below the age threshold to access their services.Social media providers “cannot provide services to children who have not reached the age of 15,” the regulations state.Platforms must also introduce age-appropriate services and safeguards for users aged 15 and older, taking into account children’s best interests and their physical, mental, psychological, social and emotional development.Under the new rules, age verification systems must prioritize personal data protection by determining only whether users meet the required age threshold, rather than establishing their identities.Social media companies are also required to ensure that their age verification methods, algorithms and child protection policies are transparent, auditable and testable by users, parents and regulatory authorities.The regulations further require platforms to provide clear, accessible and user-friendly parental control tools to help families manage children’s online activities.The measures form part of Türkiye’s new social media legislation, which was passed by parliament in April, introducing stricter requirements aimed at protecting minors in digital environments.