A social media ban for children under the age of 15 has been approved by the Turkish parliament, introducing strict new rules that prohibit minors from registering on social media platforms and requiring digital companies to implement robust age verification systems.
The move marks a significant step in online regulation, as the social media ban aims to limit children’s access to platforms and strengthen digital safety controls across the country.
Strict age verification under social media ban rules
Under the new framework, platforms will be legally required to apply age verification mechanisms to prevent users under 15 from creating accounts.
The law also introduces parental monitoring tools, allowing parents to track screen time and online spending. In addition, major platforms must respond within one hour in cases involving harmful content, according to Turkish media reports.
Authorities say the social media ban aims to reduce exposure of minors to harmful online material while increasing accountability for digital companies operating in the country.
Implementation timeline and enforcement
The legislation will come into force six months after publication in the Official Gazette, according to the Anadolu Agency.
Once active, the social media ban will place legal responsibility on platforms to comply with both age restrictions and rapid-response requirements for harmful content.
Growing international push for social media restrictions
The social media ban in Turkey reflects a broader global debate over children’s access to digital platforms, with several countries now considering similar restrictions.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently called for a “monthly offline day” for young people, encouraging reduced screen time and increased engagement in education and sports.
At the EU level, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and leaders from 12 member states, including Cyprus, Greece, Germany and Italy, have discussed comparable restrictions for users under 15.
The group has expanded compared with earlier discussions, indicating growing political momentum behind tighter youth protections online. Supporters of the social media ban trend argue that coordinated action is becoming increasingly necessary.
As the discussion expands, policymakers continue to weigh digital safety concerns against freedom of access and platform responsibility.
The emerging social media ban measures highlight a shift toward stricter regulation of online environments for minors, with further proposals expected in the coming months.
Also read: Cyprus sets social media age limit at 15
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