Mitsotakis Leads Greece in Banning Social Media for Under-15s
Greece has officially passed a law requiring social media platforms to verify ages, blocking access for children under 15 starting in 2027.
By Alina Carter ·
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has driven Greece’s parliament to pass a strict new law banning children under 15 from using major social media platforms. The measure, which the leader described as difficult but necessary, becomes official law today. It is set to take effect on January 1, 2027. This move positions Greece as one of the first countries in the European Union to impose such a restriction nationally.
The legislation targets popular services including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. These platforms will be required to implement age-verification methods that are both proportionate and reliable. The goal is to ensure that minors under the age threshold cannot easily create or access accounts without proper checks. This places a direct compliance burden on tech companies operating in the Greek market.
Enforcement will rely on a combination of digital tools and state support. Parents will need to download specific applications, such as Kids Wallet or Gov.gr, onto their children’s devices. These apps will block access to social media until the child turns 15. The government claims these tools are designed to protect privacy. They use 'age tokens' to verify a user's age while minimizing the amount of personal data disclosed to platforms.
Dimitris Papastergiou, the minister for digital governance and AI, defended the timing of the law. He argued that waiting for a perfect European regulation would have been too slow. Papastergiou noted that children are increasingly immersed in the internet daily. He stated that a responsible government must act now rather than wait for ideal conditions. The minister emphasized the need for immediate protection in the digital space.
The bill faced opposition from minority parties in the Greek parliament. However, Mitsotakis used his government’s majority to push the measure through. This follows a 2024 decision to ban mobile phones in schools. Recent opinion polls indicate that the adult population in Greece largely supports the new social media restrictions. The political will to act appears strong despite the initial resistance from smaller parties.
Greece’s move aims to influence broader European policy. Mitsotakis has stated that the government wants to push the EU in this direction. The European Commission recently introduced the EU Kids Act, which proposes a ban for children under 13. Greece’s higher age limit may serve as a model for future continental legislation. Australia was the first nation to enact a full ban, though it has faced challenges with age verification. Greece seeks to refine this approach as it prepares for the 2027 rollout.
The law will be enforced under the EU’s Digital Services Act. Companies that fail to comply with the new verification requirements may face fines. This financial penalty adds weight to the legislative change. As the deadline approaches, tech companies will have to adjust their systems to meet Greek standards. The outcome of this trial period could shape how other nations handle digital age limits.
