Türkiye has banned social media providers from offering services to children under 15 under new regulations published in the Official Gazette on Saturday.
The Cyber Security Directorate regulations require providers to prevent access by under-15s and introduce differentiated services for users aged 15 and above, taking into account their best interests and physical, mental, psychological, social and emotional development, Anadolu Ajansi reported.
Providers must implement age-verification methods that protect personal data by determining whether users meet the minimum age threshold without establishing their identities.
They must also ensure their verification methods, algorithm structures and child-focused service policies are transparent, auditable and testable by users, parents and the directorate.
The rules further require providers to establish clear, user-friendly parental control tools.
The regulations follow legislation on social media passed by the Turkish parliament in April.
