What changes?
The age verification era on social media begins on November 1, 2026. From that date, age verification will be mandatory for newly opened accounts. Existing accounts have until March 31, 2027.
How will verification work?
According to the official statement from Turkey's Presidency Cybersecurity Directorate, verification will be carried out only through e-Devlet. The authority says personal data will not be shared with social media platforms. In other words, the age check stays on the e-Devlet side, and only the result is passed to the platform.
Who is affected?
The rule covers everyone using social networks in Turkey. New users will need to verify at sign-up, while existing users must verify their accounts by the end of March 2027.
Why it matters
Age verification sits at the center of the debate over protecting children and young people online. Turkey's model, built around the e-Devlet infrastructure, arrives at a time when similar measures are on the agenda elsewhere, such as the methods outlined by the UK's Ofcom.
