The recent lowering of the social media age requirement to 10 has prompted the government to take action. While efforts to restrict children’s access to digital platforms are accelerating in Europe and other countries, the first steps have been taken in this direction in Turkey, and preparations are expected to be completed soon.

Children’s access will be restricted

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu officially announced during a meeting with the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Children’s Rights Subcommittee that they are preparing to impose an age limit for social media use to protect children from the harms of digital environments.

According to the new regulation, children under the age of 15 are completely banned from accessing social media platforms. This draft regulation is being prepared jointly by the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK).

According to the details of the draft, users under 13 will be completely blocked from accessing social media, while parental consent and supervision will be mandatory for users between the ages of 13 and 16.

It is also stated that the age limit could be flexible, with a maximum age of 15 or 16. A dedicated digital consent system for parents is being considered, and social media platforms will also be required to install effective age verification systems.

How this ban will be technically implemented remains a matter of interest. Experts state that the age verification process is technically challenging, but that methods such as identity verification may be considered. Social media companies that fail to comply with the new regulation are planned to face serious sanctions and substantial fines. This comprehensive regulation is expected to be submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly in early 2026.