Greece’s parliament approved a bill on Friday prohibiting social media use by children under 15, joining a growing international effort to limit minors’ exposure to online platforms.
The ban will come into force on January 1, 2027, as authorities seek to address concerns about the effects of social media on children’s well-being and development.
The legislation comes amid increasing debate worldwide over how governments and technology companies should protect young users from potential online harms.
Greece Gives Platforms Time to Prepare Age Verification
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said social media platforms have two and a half months to develop a system for verifying users’ ages while safeguarding their privacy.
Greece is also among seven European Union countries seeking an age-verification solution in cooperation with the European Commission.
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The initiative aims to establish effective ways of restricting access for underage users while addressing concerns over the handling of personal information.
The Greek government has said the measure is intended to support parents in limiting children’s exposure to what it describes as “endless scrolling”, which can take time away from sleep, concentration and friendships.
Other Countries Introduce Restrictions
Greece’s move follows similar efforts in other countries to regulate children’s access to social media.
Australia became the first country to pass legislation restricting social media use by minors last year, setting a precedent for governments seeking stronger protections for children online.
France also passed a similar law, but the country’s Constitutional Council struck it down in August, according to the report.
The different outcomes highlight the legal and practical challenges governments face when introducing age-based restrictions on social media.
Child Safety and Privacy Remain Key Concerns
The Greek legislation reflects wider concerns about how prolonged social media use may affect children’s sleep, attention and social interactions.
However, implementing an age-based ban will require platforms to develop reliable age-verification systems without compromising users’ privacy.
As the January 2027 deadline approaches, the effectiveness of Greece’s approach will depend in part on how platforms implement the new requirements and how authorities enforce the restrictions.
