Greece Moves to Cut Off Under-15s From Social Media by Next Year
A new law mandates strict age verification for major platforms, setting a precedent in Europe while leaving questions about enforcement and privacy.
By Elijah Fitzgerald ·
The tension between digital immersion and childhood protection reached a legislative breaking point in Athens this week. Greece’s parliament has officially approved a ban on social media for children under the age of 15, marking a decisive shift in how the nation regulates online access for its youngest citizens. The measure, which will take effect on January 1, 2027, represents one of the first such mandates in the European Union and signals a growing willingness among governments to intervene in the digital landscape.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had signaled the government's intent to pass this legislation earlier in the year. He described the bill as difficult but necessary, reflecting the complex balance between individual freedom and collective responsibility. The new rules apply to major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. These services are now required to implement age verification methods that are both proportionate and reliable, ensuring that minors cannot easily bypass the restrictions.
The rationale behind the law was articulated by Dimitris Papastergiou, the minister for digital governance and AI. He argued that waiting for a comprehensive European law would have meant inaction while the problem grew. Papastergiou stated that children are increasingly sinking into the internet and that a responsible government must act when it is obliged to do so. This sentiment appears to resonate with the public, as opinion polls indicate widespread support among Greek adults for the new restrictions.
Enforcement of the new law will carry significant weight for non-compliant platforms. Fines can be levied under the EU's Digital Services Act, creating a financial incentive for companies to adhere to the new standards. For families, the process will involve downloading state-backed applications known as Kids Wallet or Gov.gr. These apps will be paired with the child's device to block access to social media if the age requirement is not met.
Privacy advocates and officials have highlighted the technical approach used by these applications. Papastergiou explained that the apps are designed to minimize data collection. They utilize age tokens, a mechanism that allows for age confirmation without excessive disclosure of personal information. This feature aims to address common concerns about how much data tech companies gather during the verification process.
The path to passage was not without political friction. Minority parties in the opposition opposed the legislation, but the majority government pushed the bill through to completion. This follows a 2024 decision to ban mobile phones in schools, suggesting a broader trend in Greece toward limiting children's digital exposure in both educational and personal settings.
The Greek government hopes its domestic law will serve as a catalyst for broader change across the continent. Mitsotakis has stated that the goal is to push the European Union in the same direction. The European Commission has recently introduced the EU Kids Act, though that proposal currently stipulates an outright ban only for children under 13. As Greece prepares for the new year, the outcome of its experiment may influence how other nations handle the challenge of online age verification.
The global context adds a layer of complexity to Greece's decision. Australia was the first country to enact a full social media ban for children, but it has faced significant difficulties in implementing age verification systems effectively. Greece's approach, which combines state-backed apps with platform fines, offers a different model. As the January 1, 2027, deadline approaches, the focus will shift to how smoothly the transition occurs and whether the age token system can maintain user privacy while keeping young users off their favorite apps.
