ATHENS (Agencies) – Greece’s parliament approved a bill on Friday banning children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, as authorities step up efforts to protect minors from potential online harms.
The ban is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, giving technology companies time to prepare measures to comply with the new restrictions.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said social media platforms had approximately two and a half months to develop systems for verifying users’ ages while safeguarding their privacy.
The Greek government says the measure aims to address concerns over excessive screen time and the effects of social media on children’s sleep, concentration and social relationships. Officials have also highlighted the impact of endless scrolling on young people’s daily lives.
Greece is working with six other European Union countries to develop an age-verification solution in cooperation with the European Commission.
The move follows Australia’s decision to become the first country to pass legislation restricting social media access for minors last year. France also passed a similar law, but the country’s Constitutional Council struck it down in August.
The Greek government has described the legislation as a step towards supporting parents and helping children develop healthier digital habits. The implementation of the ban will depend partly on platforms establishing effective age-verification systems that respect users’ privacy.
