Turkey to ban social media for children under 15

Social media ban for children from 1 November

New rules banning children under 15 from using social media came into force in Turkey on 1 November 2024. This was reported by Bloomberg HT, citing an official government decree.

Age verification via state system

User age verification will be conducted through the state digital platform e-Devlet. All existing registered accounts must undergo verification by 31 March 2027. If it is confirmed that a user is under 15, their profile will be automatically deleted.

Special restrictions for teenagers aged 15–18

Additional safety measures have been introduced for users aged 15 to 18. Their accounts will be automatically closed by default. Live streaming, personalised advertising, and infinite scrolling of the news feed are also prohibited.

Goal is to protect youth from harmful content

The Turkish government explains the initiative as a necessity to protect children and teenagers from the negative impact of the internet, including cyberbullying, extremist content, and addiction to digital platforms. According to experts, the measures are intended to reduce risks to the mental health of young people.