Greece's Digital Curtain: Under-15s Face Social Media Ban Next Year

Starting January 1, 2027, Greek children under the age of 15 will no longer have unrestricted access to major social media platforms. This marks a significant turning point for the European Union, as Greece becomes one of the first nations in the bloc to enact such a strict legislative measure. The law was officially passed by the Greek parliament, following an announcement made by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis earlier this year. While the bill was described as "difficult but necessary" by the Prime Minister, it represents a bold step toward regulating how young people interact with the digital world.

The legislation specifically targets popular services such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. To ensure compliance, these platforms are mandated to implement age-verification methods that are both proportionate and reliable. This is not just a suggestion; failure to adhere to the new standards will result in fines levied under the EU's Digital Services Act. The goal is to create a verified digital environment where minors cannot simply bypass age restrictions, a problem that has plagued the industry for years.

Dimitris Papastergiou, the Greek minister for digital governance and AI, emphasized the urgency of the situation. He noted that while waiting for a perfect European law would have been easier, the current challenges demand immediate action. "Children are sinking into the internet every day," Papastergiou stated, arguing that a responsible government must fulfill its obligations to protect its youth. His comments reflect a broader sentiment that proactive domestic laws are essential while continental regulations are still in development.

For parents, the new law introduces practical tools to help manage their children's online presence. Families will be required to download state-backed applications known as Kids Wallet or Gov.gr. These apps pair with a child's device to block access to restricted platforms. Papastergiou explained that these tools are designed with privacy in mind, utilizing "age tokens" to verify a user's age while minimizing the amount of personal data disclosed. This approach aims to balance security with the protection of minors' digital privacy.

The path to passing the bill was not without political friction. Minority parties in Greece opposed the legislation, leading Prime Minister Mitsotakis to rely on his majority government to push the bill through. Despite the political debate, public opinion appears to be firmly on the side of the ban. Recent opinion polls indicate that the adult population in Greece widely supports the move, viewing it as a necessary step in an era where the nation had already banned mobile phones in schools in 2024.

This national move is part of a larger international trend. Australia was the first country to enact a full social media ban for children, though it has faced challenges in implementing effective age verification. Greece’s new law serves as a test case for these mechanisms within the EU. Mitsotakis has stated that his government aims to push the European Union in this same direction, hoping to set a precedent that other member states might follow.

At the EU level, the European Commission has recently introduced the EU Kids Act. However, that broader legislation stipulates an outright ban only for children under the age of 13, making Greece's threshold of 15 more restrictive. By setting a higher age limit, Greece is positioning itself at the forefront of digital youth protection, potentially influencing how other European nations handle the complexities of online age verification and parental control.

As the deadline of January 2027 approaches, the focus will shift to how effectively these age tokens and parental apps function in practice. The success of this legislation will depend on whether the mandated verification methods are user-friendly enough for widespread adoption without becoming a burden. For now, Greece has set a clear standard, signaling that the era of unchecked social media access for early teens in the region is coming to a close.