Greece sets 15 as the new age limit for social media access
Starting next year, Greek children under 15 will be barred from major social networks unless parents use new state-backed blocking apps.
By Kevin Iyer ·
Greece has officially become one of the first countries in the European Union to legally block children under 15 from using social media. The measure creates a clear boundary for young users, marking a significant shift in how the nation regulates digital access for minors. It is a move that pits parental control against the rapid growth of online platforms, forcing a hard stop on what was once a gray area.
The new law takes effect on January 1, 2027. It applies to major services including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. These platforms are now required to implement proportionate and reliable age-verification methods. This requirement means the onus is no longer just on parents to monitor their children, but on the tech giants themselves to ensure only eligible users can join the network.
Digital Governance and AI Minister Dimitris Papastergiou emphasized the urgency of the situation. He noted that waiting for a perfect European law was not an option. He described the challenge as immediate, stating that children are sinking into the internet every day. He argued that a responsible government must act when it is obliged to do so, rather than delaying action for the sake of perfection.
Compliance with the new rules will be enforced through the EU's Digital Services Act, which includes fines for non-compliance. Parents will play a direct role in the process by downloading state-backed apps called Kids Wallet or Gov.gr. These apps pair with a child's device to block access. Papastergiou explained that these tools are designed to protect privacy by using age tokens, which confirm a user's age while minimizing the amount of personal data disclosed.
The legislation faced opposition from minority parties, but Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis used his majority to pass the bill. He had previously called the measure difficult but necessary. This follows a 2024 decision to ban mobile phones in schools. Opinion polls suggest that the adult population in Greece widely supports the new social media restrictions for children.
The move is also part of a broader push to influence European policy. Mitsotakis stated that the government aims to push the EU in this direction. The European Commission recently introduced the EU Kids Act, though that proposal currently limits an outright ban to children under 13. Australia was the first nation to enact a full ban, but it has faced challenges in implementing age verification. Greece's new law serves as a test case for how such regulations might work across the continent.
