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Turkey has restricted access to social media for children under the age of 15

Turkey has restricted access to social media for children under the age of 15

24 April 2026, 18:15

Turkey has restricted access to social media for children under the age of 15 — Ban on social media for children in Turkey

Turkish lawmakers have passed a bill restricting access to social media for children under the age of 15.

The Associated Press reports this.

The law was passed a week after a 14-year-old boy in the province of Kahramanmaraş in southern Turkey shot and killed nine pupils and a teacher at a secondary school. Police are investigating the online activity of the attacker, who also died, to determine his motives.

Under the law, digital platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and others must block the creation of accounts for children under 15 and introduce parental controls. They must also implement age verification systems and respond swiftly to content deemed harmful.

Online game developers will be required to appoint a representative in Turkey to monitor compliance with the rules. Violations will result in fines and possible internet speed restrictions imposed by the regulator.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan must approve the law within 15 days for it to come into force. Following the events in Kahramanmaraş, he spoke of the need to reduce online risks to children’s safety and privacy.

The main opposition party — the Republican People’s Party (CHP) — criticised the initiative, stating that children should be protected “not by bans, but by a rights-based policy”.

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