Turkey's sweeping new regulations on children's social media use came into force today, prohibiting platforms from providing services to users under the age of 15.
For users aged 15 to 17, access will be permitted but significantly restricted. Features such as live streaming, infinite scrolling, and personalized advertising will be limited for this age group, and their accounts will be subject to enhanced privacy settings.
The new rules apply not only to those seeking to open new accounts but also to existing users. All account holders will be required to undergo age verification, with a deadline set for 31 March 2027.
Accounts belonging to users found to be under 15 following the verification process will be permanently closed. Authorities cited the heightened vulnerability of children during developmental stages to the features and content offered by social media platforms as a key rationale behind the legislation.
