Greece Mandates Social Media Access Restrictions for Children Under 15

Greece has officially enacted legislation prohibiting social media use for children under the age of 15, a measure that will take effect on January 1, 2027. The law was passed by the Greek parliament following an announcement by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis earlier in the year. By moving forward with this domestic legislation, Greece becomes one of the first nations within the European Union to impose such a strict barrier, aiming to address growing concerns about young users' online presence.

The regulation specifically targets major platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. These services are mandated to implement proportionate and reliable age-verification methods to ensure compliance. If platforms fail to meet these requirements, they will face financial penalties under the framework of the EU's Digital Services Act. This approach shifts the primary burden of enforcement onto the technology companies themselves, rather than relying solely on parental oversight.

Key figures in the government have emphasized the urgency of the decision. Digital Governance and AI Minister Dimitris Papastergiou described the bill as "difficult but necessary," arguing that inaction was no longer a viable option. He noted that while waiting for a perfect European-wide law was an easy path, the current challenges necessitated immediate national action. Papastergiou stated that children are increasingly immersed in the internet, compelling a responsible government to act in accordance with its obligations.

To support the ban, the state will provide specific software tools for parents. Families will need to download applications known as Kids Wallet or Gov.gr, which must be paired with a child's device to block access to social media. These apps are designed to prioritize privacy by utilizing "age tokens." According to Papastergiou, this technology allows for age confirmation while minimizing the amount of personal data disclosed, thereby protecting user privacy during the verification process.

The political landscape surrounding the bill saw opposition from minority parties, but Mitsotakis leveraged his government's majority to secure passage. The move follows a 2024 policy that already barred mobile phones in schools, suggesting a broader governmental strategy to regulate digital interactions for minors. Current opinion polls indicate that the new social media ban enjoys widespread support among the Greek adult population.

The stakes extend beyond national borders, as Mitsotakis has stated that the goal is to influence the broader European Union to adopt similar measures. While the European Commission has recently introduced the EU Kids Act, that legislation only stipulates an outright ban for children under 13. Greece’s stricter threshold sets a new precedent, particularly as it follows Australia, the first country to enact a full social media ban for kids, which has faced significant challenges in implementing effective age verification.