Turkey Introduces Real Name Requirement for Social Media

The Turkish Parliament approved a law on April 25, 2026, that prohibits individuals under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. To ensure compliance, all social networks must implement age verification systems. Users are also required to register with a valid ID and their real name, significantly limiting online anonymity. The final approval of the law is still pending, as it only requires the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

However, the law will not take effect until six months after it is signed. Critics fear that the real name requirement is not only aimed at protecting youth but also facilitates increased surveillance of government critics. Age verification is to be conducted through the state-managed e-Devlet system, which is seen as a central component of the new regulation to ensure that only eligible users gain access to the platforms. In contrast, the European Union is relying on an anonymous, privacy-friendly app for age verification, which was hacked shortly after its introduction.

The introduction of the law in Turkey follows a global trend, with several countries, including Australia, Indonesia, Greece, France, and Austria, announcing similar social media bans for youth. In Germany, the government is also discussing potential restrictions for youth on social platforms but has yet to agree on a specific regulation. These measures are a response to the increasing prevalence of AI and fake content, as well as other dangerous trends affecting younger users. Platforms often struggle to regulate and remove harmful content in a timely manner. Recently, Meta was fined in the U.S. for inadequate protections for youth on its platforms.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has previously advocated for a real name requirement to protect the "free society" from negative influences of algorithms and artificial intelligence. Currently, however, the possibility of a social media ban without such a requirement is being discussed in Germany. The real name requirement in Turkey is seen by many as another step towards authoritarian control. Critics argue that it facilitates the identification and prosecution of government critics, thereby further restricting freedom of expression in the country. The government, on the other hand, emphasizes that the measures are intended to protect youth.

The discussion around regulating social media and protecting youth is intensifying globally. The challenges associated with the spread of harmful content and the use of social media by minors require comprehensive solutions. Turkey's law takes a strict approach that could potentially serve as a model for other countries. The real name requirement could also impact social media usage in Turkey. Experts warn that many users may turn to alternative, less regulated platforms, making content control even more difficult.

The exact effects of the new regulation will only become apparent after the law takes effect. The Turkish government has announced that the new regulations will also aim to enhance the safety of youth online. However, the specific mechanisms for implementing age verification and the real name requirement are not yet fully known. The debate over the balance between safety and freedom on the internet remains tense. The real name requirement is expected to provoke international reactions, particularly from human rights organizations that criticize the measures as an infringement on privacy and freedom of expression. The debate over social media regulation is likely to intensify in the coming months. The Turkish government plans to implement the law in the coming months after it is signed by President Erdoğan.