The regulation on “providing a separate service intended for children and age verification by the social network service provider” will enter into force in Turkey on November 1, preventing social network providers from offering their services to those under 15. Experts emphasize that determining age alone will not be sufficient to protect children unless it is accompanied by verification mechanisms that minimize data collection and oversight of the platforms’ design and behavior.
The regulation was prepared by the Presidency of Cybersecurity affiliated with the Turkish Presidency and focuses on preventing those under 15 from accessing social network services. This places social media platforms under an operational responsibility that goes beyond closing accounts, as the risks identified by experts include fake accounts, personal data theft, fraud, cyberbullying, and blackmail.
Age Verification Between Protection and Privacy
Erdem Eriş, CEO of CyberArts, said that verification systems should not result in the unnecessary collection of identities and personal data. In his view, it is sufficient for the platform to receive the minimum information necessary to prove compliance with the age requirement, rather than obtaining broader identifying data.
Eriş warned of possible scams that may emerge during the transitional period, such as messages claiming that an account will be closed and requesting age confirmation. He advised users not to enter e-Devlet passwords or identity information through links received in messages, and to initiate any procedure only through official channels.
He also noted that artificial intelligence may make some threats more convincing, pointing out that an ordinary photograph of a child could be used to produce a fake image of an intimate nature for the purpose of blackmail. Therefore, protection is not limited to screen time, but also includes who can see photographs, school information, and geographical location.
What Should Platforms Monitor?
Social media expert and communications consultant Ümit Sanlav believes that oversight should extend to the content recommended by platforms, the ways others communicate with children, and designs intended to keep them in front of the screen, in addition to protecting the data and privacy of all users.
The measures advocated by experts include safe-by-default settings for children’s accounts, rapid mechanisms for receiving complaints, preventing advertisements and targeted recommendations based on children’s behavior, and rapid intervention regarding harmful content. They also stressed that platforms’ responsibility does not end with implementing age verification.
Why Is the Age Limit Alone Not Enough?
Şaziye Senem Başgül, a member of the scientific council of the Green Crescent Society, said that the risks are not limited to the length of time children spend in front of screens. Endless scrolling, autoplay, continuous notifications, and personalized recommendation systems may increase the likelihood of problematic use.
Başgül noted that an experiment in which Australia banned similar use saw the majority of children continue to access the service through fake accounts after three months. Accordingly, she called for independent oversight of platforms, periodic transparency reports, and support for families and schools in the field of digital literacy.
In practical terms, experts place the success of the regulation at the intersection of four elements: verification that protects data, safer settings and products, measurable oversight of platforms, and a relationship of trust that enables children to ask for help without fear of punishment. They also emphasize that the role of schools is not to ban technology, but to teach its thoughtful use and enable teachers to identify signs of problematic use at an early stage.