Agadir – Turkiye will ban children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms starting November 1. Turkiye published the decision in the country’s official gazette on Saturday, October 10.
The measure follows legislation passed by the Turkish parliament in April. The decision forms part of broader efforts to protect children from potential risks associated with social media use.
Under the new rules, social media providers must introduce technical and administrative measures, including age verification, to prevent children below the age limit from accessing their services.
The legislation also states that services likely to create addictive effects in children cannot be offered to them.
The law also introduces new obligations for digital platforms, including companies involved in online gaming, as part of Turkey’s wider regulatory approach to digital services.
The legislation amended existing laws and established new requirements for social media providers and gaming companies.
The decision comes amid growing international efforts to restrict children’s access to social media. Australia introduced a ban for users under 16 in December 2025, while France has pursued restrictions on access for children under 15. Other European countries have also considered measures to limit minors’ use of social media.
The measures aim to address concerns about children’s exposure to harmful online content, cyberbullying, sleep disruption, and addictive platform features. However, restrictions on digital access have also raised questions about children’s freedom of expression and how governments should regulate online spaces.
Turkiye’s ban is set to take effect on November 1, placing greater responsibility on social media companies to verify users’ ages and enforce the new restrictions.
