Greece Sets the Stage for Europe's First Major Under-15 Social Media Ban

Greece has officially become the first European Union member state to legislate a comprehensive social media ban for children under the age of fifteen. The measure was enacted by parliament and is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. This legislative move marks a significant shift in how the region approaches digital consumer protection and sets a precedent for other EU nations.

The regulation targets major digital platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. These services are now required to implement age verification methods that are both proportionate and reliable. The financial stakes for these companies are clear, as failure to comply with the new act will result in fines issued under the framework of the EU's Digital Services Act. This creates a direct monetary incentive for tech firms to refine their verification technologies ahead of the deadline.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who initially proposed the measure earlier this year, described the bill as difficult but necessary. He noted that his government aims to push the broader European Union in the same direction. This national strategy aligns with recent moves by the European Commission, which introduced the EU Kids Act. However, while the upcoming EU legislation would mandate an outright ban only for children under thirteen, Greece's national law sets the age threshold higher at fifteen.

Dimitris Papastergiou, the minister for digital governance and AI, emphasized the urgency of the situation. He stated that it would have been easy to wait for a perfect European law, but the challenge is immediate. Papastergiou argued that children are sinking into the internet daily and that a responsible government must act. His comments highlight the political pressure to act before broader regional standards are finalized.

For households, the implementation of the law involves specific technological requirements. Parents will be required to download state-backed applications named Kids Wallet or Gov.gr. These apps must be paired to a child's device to block access to social media platforms. The system is designed to protect user privacy by utilizing age tokens. These tokens allow platforms to confirm a user's age while minimizing the amount of personal data disclosed during the verification process.

Papastergiou noted that these digital tools are engineered to reduce data collection. By relying on age tokens rather than extensive personal profiles, the state aims to balance regulatory compliance with consumer privacy. This approach addresses common concerns about how much personal information is shared during age verification processes on popular social networks.

The bill passed through parliament despite opposition from minority parties. Prime Minister Mitsotakis utilized the majority held by his government to push the legislation forward. This political maneuvering underscores the high level of support the measure enjoys within the ruling coalition. The successful passage ensures that the regulatory framework will be in place for the upcoming 2027 launch.

The social climate in Greece supports this new regulatory direction. Opinion polls indicate that the adult population widely supports the social media ban for children. This public backing follows a previous national decision in 2024 to bar mobile phones in schools. The sequence of events suggests a broader national strategy to limit digital exposure for minors in both educational and personal settings.

The global context for this legislation includes Australia, which was the first nation to enact a full social media ban for kids. However, the Australian experience has shown that implementing age verification remains a significant technical challenge. Greece's new law acknowledges these difficulties while moving forward with its own mandatory requirements for platforms operating within its borders.