Greece Locks Out Under-15s from Social Networks Starting Next Year
A new national law requires platforms to verify ages and blocks access for minors under fifteen beginning in January.
By Ivan Petrov ·
Athens has moved to tighten its grip on young users' online habits. The change marks a significant shift in how the country handles digital access for its youth.
Greece’s parliament has officially approved a ban on social media for children under the age of fifteen. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis first introduced the proposal earlier this year. He described the legislative step as difficult but necessary. The new rule will take effect on January 1, 2027. It stands as one of the first such measures adopted within the European Union.
The law targets major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. These services must implement proportionate and reliable methods to verify user ages. Dimitris Papastergiou, the minister for digital governance and AI, defended the timing of the decision. He noted that waiting for a perfect EU law was an easy option to avoid. He argued that children are increasingly absorbed by the internet. Therefore, a responsible government must act.
Compliance is mandatory under the EU’s Digital Services Act. Fines will apply to services that fail to meet the new standards. Parents will also play a direct role in enforcement. They must download state-backed applications named Kids Wallet or Gov.gr. These tools pair with a child’s device to block access to the platforms. Papastergiou explained that these apps use age tokens to confirm a user's age. This process aims to protect privacy by minimizing the amount of personal data disclosed.
The bill faced opposition from minority parties in parliament. However, the governing majority ensured its passage. This move follows a 2024 decision to ban mobile phones in schools. Opinion polls indicate that the adult population in Greece widely supports the new restriction. Mitsotakis stated that his government aims to push the entire EU in this direction. The European Commission has recently proposed the EU Kids Act. That framework suggests an outright ban only for children under thirteen.
Australia previously became the first nation to enact a full social media ban for kids. However, the implementation of age verification proved challenging there. Greece now faces similar hurdles as it prepares for the new year. The government is betting that strict local action will help shape broader European standards.
Source: Engadget
