Greek Law Bans Social Media for Children Under 15

Greece has officially become the first country in the European Union to ban children under the age of 15 from using social media. The new law takes effect on January 1, 2027. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the measure earlier this year. The parliament passed the bill despite opposition from minority parties. The government used its majority to push the legislation through. It follows a previous 2024 rule that barred mobile phones in schools.

The regulation targets popular platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. These services must implement reliable and proportionate age-verification methods. Fines will apply under the EU's Digital Services Act for non-compliance. The goal is to prevent young children from accessing these digital spaces without proper checks. The system aims to balance protection with practical enforcement.

Digital Governance and AI Minister Dimitris Papastergiou defended the move. He stated that waiting for a perfect European law was not an option. "Children are sinking into the internet every day," Papastergiou said. He argued that a responsible government must act now. He called the decision difficult but necessary for the nation. The minister emphasized the urgency of the situation for young users.

Parents will play a direct role in enforcing the ban. They must download state-backed apps called Kids Wallet or Gov.gr. These applications pair with their child's device to block access to social platforms. The apps are designed to protect privacy while managing permissions. This requirement places a new administrative duty on families. It ensures that parental consent is part of the digital gatekeeping process.

Privacy concerns were addressed through the use of age tokens. These tokens confirm a user's age without disclosing extensive personal data. The system minimizes the amount of information collected during verification. Papastergiou noted that this approach protects users' digital footprints. It aims to make the verification process as transparent and secure as possible. This technical solution seeks to avoid the pitfalls of previous age-verification systems.

Public opinion in Greece strongly supports the new law. Opinion polls indicate that the adult population is largely in favor of the ban. The government views this as a step toward a broader European standard. Mitsotakis said the goal is to push the EU in this direction. The European Commission recently introduced the EU Kids Act. However, that proposed law only mandates an outright ban for children under 13. Greece is moving faster than the continent's unified plan.

Australia was the first nation to enact a full social media ban for kids. That experience has shown that age verification can be challenging to implement. Greece is learning from these early efforts. The new law reflects a desire to get the details right from the start. It sets a precedent for other nations considering similar measures. The timing suggests that digital regulation for minors is accelerating globally.

The stakes for tech companies are significant. They must adapt their verification systems before the 2027 deadline. Non-compliance will result in financial penalties. The law signals a shift in how the EU treats child online safety. It moves beyond voluntary guidelines to mandatory legal requirements. This development may influence future policies in other regions. The focus remains on protecting young users while keeping platforms accessible for older teens.