Turkey restricts social media for under-15s; existing accounts have until 31 March 2027

Turkey's new rules restricting social media use for children under 15 took effect today. Under the regulation, children under 15 are barred from opening accounts on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. Existing accounts face a transition period of about five months, running until 31 March 2027, so millions of accounts will not be shut down overnight.

Users aged 15 to 18 may use their accounts with certain restrictions, but must verify their age through e-Devlet. Examples include a ban on going live on Instagram and no personalised ads. Adults must also verify their age through e-Devlet when opening new accounts. Platforms will not receive names, surnames or Turkish ID numbers; only a digital code confirming the user is over 18 will be sent.

Social media platforms will be responsible for monitoring user ages and may use AI-based tools, though the regulation does not require any specific method. Accounts wrongly suspended or closed can be appealed free of charge, and appeals must be reviewed by a human. The article also urges caution against fake age-verification messages and links.