Turkey bans the use of social media for children under 15 years old

The Turkish Parliament has officially approved a law restricting access to social media for underage citizens under the age of 15. The new legislative initiative obliges digital platforms to implement strict age verification mechanisms and parental control systems to protect young people in the digital space.

According to the Associated Press, the document was adopted on April 23, 2026. According to the new rules, the creation of accounts on popular services will be inaccessible for children under the age of 15. In addition, technology companies are now obliged to promptly respond to malicious content. In emergency cases, platforms must take action within the shortest possible time, otherwise the regulator will apply penalties and other restrictions.

The initiative, proposed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party, was part of a large-scale policy to strengthen control over the Internet space. The resonance around the bill has intensified against the backdrop of the tragic events in Kahramanmarash, where authorities are probing a possible link between a teenager’s Internet activity and the school shooting he organized.

Despite the law’s passage, the opposition has criticized it, arguing that the protection of children’s rights should be based on human rights principles rather than prohibitive measures. Turkey has joined a number of European countries tightening the rules for using social networks: earlier, a similar ban for under-16s was approved by the Portuguese parliament. The law is expected to enter into force soon after the president signs it.