Turkey sets November 1 start for social media ban on children under 15

Turkey has published rules barring children under 15 from social media from November 1, with a transition period for checking existing accounts.

The regulations appeared in Resmi Gazete on October 10. AFP, in a report carried by Turkish Minute, confirmed the age limit and implementation date. The measures follow a law passed by parliament in April.

Platforms will have to verify users’ ages through a code issued by the government’s electronic services system. Existing accounts must be checked by March 31, 2027, and those held by children under 15 will be closed.

Teenagers aged 15 to 17 will receive a separate service with stronger privacy protections. Parents must have tools to control account settings and set limits on time spent using the applications.

The timetable gives platforms several months to review accounts already in use. The November start date therefore does not mean every existing child’s account will be removed on the same day.