Turkey bans social media for kids under 15

The government of Turkey has officially banned access to social media platforms for individuals under the age of 15. This decision was announced after the Turkish Parliament approved the bill in April. The ban will take effect starting November 1. To comply with the new regulations, social media companies must implement technical and administrative measures, such as age verification, as outlined in the law.

One proposed method involves using a government-issued "token" for verification purposes. Additionally, the law imposes restrictions on minors aged 15 and above, prohibiting social media platforms from offering services that may have an addictive effect on users. Over the years, Turkey has frequently enforced strict regulations on social media services, including banning individual accounts and even entire platforms when deemed necessary.

For instance, Instagram was briefly blocked in 2024 due to allegations of censorship related to the mourning of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Recently, Turkey blocked a news website and its associated social media accounts over claims of "LGBT propaganda," drawing criticism from human rights and media freedom organizations. A 2025 report by the U.S.-based think tank Freedom House rated Turkey's internet freedom as "not free."

Turkey follows a trend of other countries, such as Australia and Indonesia, that are either implementing or contemplating stricter age limits on social media access. The European Union has also proposed a legal framework to limit children's access to social media and video-sharing platforms until they reach the age of 15, following significant pressure from EU leaders.

Several European nations, including Austria, Denmark, France, Greece, and Spain, are advancing with national legislation to control underage social media usage. The United Kingdom is anticipated to introduce a similar ban next year, and Canada has introduced a bill to restrict access to social media platforms for children under the age of 16.