Turkey is expected to introduce new rules restricting social media access for children under the age of 15 from November 1, 2026. The regulations, officially announced on October 10, require social media platforms to verify users’ ages and comply with the new requirements.
The rules will also introduce additional restrictions for teenagers aged 15–17. They will not be allowed to host live streams, their accounts must be set to private, and platforms must not display personalized advertisements to them. These measures are intended to protect teenagers’ privacy and reduce potential risks associated with social media use.
Platforms will also be required to provide parental control tools. These must allow parents to manage their children’s screen time and monitor paid purchases made through the platforms.
The new regulations aim to improve online safety for children and teenagers. However, implementing the rules will also require platforms to establish effective age-verification systems while protecting users’ personal information and ensuring compliance.
Pivot has previously covered the broader debate over age restrictions on social media. As several European countries continue to discuss limiting children’s access to these platforms, Turkey’s approach highlights how such initiatives are moving toward concrete regulatory measures. At the same time, the restrictions may fuel further debate over how to protect young users online without unnecessarily limiting their access to digital services.
