Ankara, April 23, 2026
The Turkish Parliament has voted to ban social media access for children under 15, joining a growing list of countries implementing age restrictions on digital platforms.
New Law Aims to Protect Minors
The legislation, which passed with broad support, mandates age verification requirements for social media platforms operating in Turkey. According to the law, online services must intervene within one hour if harmful content is reported.
*Dem Gesetzestext zufolge werden Onlinedienste auch verpflichtet, wenn sie auf einen "Notfall" aufmerksam gemacht werden, innerhalb von einer Stunde, nachdem schädliche Inhalte online veröffentlicht wurden, einzuschreiten, wie NTV berichtete.*
The law will take effect six months after its publication in the official gazette, pending approval by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Global Precedents
Turkey’s move follows similar measures in Australia, which became the first country to introduce a social media ban for children under 16 in December. Indonesia adopted comparable restrictions in March. Greece and Austria are also preparing age-based bans, with Greece targeting under-15s starting next year and Austria considering a prohibition for those under 14.
The trend reflects growing concerns over the impact of social media on young users, including exposure to harmful content and mental health risks.