30.10.2026 18:21
Nazım Elmas, Chair of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Digital Platforms Commission, announced that social media services will not be provided to those under 15 and that age verification will be carried out via e-Devlet. The measure will start for new accounts on November 1, 2026, and will continue for existing accounts until March 31, 2027.
Nazım Elmas, Chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Digital Media Commission and AK Party Giresun MP, said regarding the "social media age verification regulation," "The conscious guidance of our families, platforms fulfilling their obligations, and the coordination of public institutions are the fundamental elements of this process."
SOCIAL MEDIA BAN FOR UNDER-15S TO BEGIN ON NOVEMBER 1
In his written statement, Elmas recalled that the Regulation on the Provision of Child-Specific Differentiated Services by Social Network Providers and Age Verification will enter into force on November 1.
Emphasizing that the regulation aims to increase children's safety in the digital environment, protect their personal data, and make social media use appropriate to their age and developmental level, Elmas stated that protecting children in the digital world is the responsibility not only of families but also of public institutions and social media platforms.
Elmas noted that the aim is not to keep children away from technology, but to ensure that they use technology with an approach that considers children's development, safety, and privacy.
"DIFFERENTIATED SERVICE FOR AGES 15-18"
Elmas conveyed that under the regulation, social network providers will not be able to offer services to children under the age of 15, and underlined that users who have reached the age of 15 but not 18 will be provided with differentiated services appropriate to their age and developmental level.
Pointing out that in services for children, content, advertising, privacy, and communication processes are envisaged to be regulated by observing the best interests of children, Elmas said: "In addition, providing parental control tools to protect children from harmful content, risky online interactions, and excessive use is among the obligations of social network providers."
Emphasizing that one of the important headings of the regulation will be the protection of personal data during the age verification process, Elmas recorded that the age verification process will be carried out through an age verification token to be created via e-Devlet.
"LIVE BROADCAST FEATURE WILL NOT BE INCLUDED ON CHILD ACCOUNTS"
Stating that with the regulation, social network providers will be required to apply high-level privacy settings by default for children in the 15-18 age group and to process data at a minimum level, Elmas noted that the live broadcast feature cannot be included on child accounts.
Emphasizing that child accounts will be prevented from being suggested to other accounts, and other accounts to child accounts, for following purposes, Elmas recorded the following:
"In addition, it is envisaged that services that could lead children to develop addiction will not be offered. Parental control tools including a Turkish language option, being easily found and activated, and being usable on different devices are also among the obligations introduced by the regulation."
Conveying that the application, which will enter into force on November 1, 2026, will apply to new accounts opened as of that date according to the information shared, Elmas recorded that the age verification period for existing social media accounts will continue until March 31, 2027.
"FAKE SMS, EMAILS, AND LINKS SHOULD NOT BE TRUSTED"
Pointing to the importance of citizens following official announcements during this process, Elmas used the following statements:
"Care should be taken against messages that try to panic citizens with statements such as 'Your account will be closed, perform age verification immediately'; fake SMS, emails, and links aiming to capture personal and financial information should not be trusted, and transactions should be carried out only through official channels."
Underlining that a protective, preventive, and responsible approach must be developed together so that children can exist safely in the digital world, Elmas made the following assessment: "The conscious guidance of our families, platforms fulfilling their obligations, and the coordination of public institutions are the fundamental elements of this process. Our goal is to strengthen a safe and healthy digital environment that protects our children's rights and privacy."