Greece has approved a law banning children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, joining a growing international effort to restrict minors’ access to online services amid concerns over their health, safety and well-being.
The Greek parliament approved the legislation on Friday, October 23, 2026, with the ban scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. The government says the measure aims to address problems associated with excessive social media use, including disrupted sleep, reduced concentration and less time spent interacting with friends.
The move will also require social media platforms to develop systems for verifying users’ ages while protecting their personal information. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said companies had approximately two and a half months to establish how they would comply with the new requirements.
Credits: The Hindu
Greece targets excessive social media use among children
The legislation comes as governments across Europe and other regions face mounting pressure to address the effects of social media on young users. Concerns include prolonged screen time, exposure to harmful online content and the impact of digital platforms on children’s daily routines.
The Greek government has framed the restriction as a measure to support parents struggling to manage their children’s online habits. Officials have particularly highlighted the problem of “endless scrolling”, arguing that excessive time on social media can deprive children of sleep, affect their ability to concentrate and reduce opportunities for face-to-face social interaction.
Under the new law, children below 15 will be prohibited from using social media platforms once the restrictions come into force. The upcoming implementation period gives companies time to prepare age-verification mechanisms and address privacy requirements.
However, putting the legislation into practice will depend on how platforms identify underage users, prevent them from accessing restricted services and handle cases where age information is uncertain.
Platforms face age verification and privacy challenges
Prime Minister Mitsotakis said social media companies had around two and a half months to develop ways to verify users’ ages and protect their privacy.
Age verification remains a central challenge for governments seeking to limit children’s access to online platforms. Companies must determine whether users meet the minimum age requirement without unnecessarily collecting or exposing sensitive personal information.
Potential approaches include age-assurance technologies and verification systems designed to establish eligibility without requiring platforms to retain extensive identity data. However, the effectiveness and privacy implications of different methods can vary.
Greece is also among seven European Union countries seeking an age-verification solution in coordination with the European Commission. A coordinated approach could help governments and technology companies navigate the practical difficulties of implementing restrictions across national borders.
The legislation’s impact will therefore depend not only on the rules themselves but also on the technical systems platforms introduce and how effectively those systems prevent underage access.
Greece follows international efforts to restrict children’s social media access
Greece’s decision follows similar efforts in other countries to impose age-based restrictions on social media.
Australia became the first country to pass legislation curbing children’s access to social media last year, establishing a precedent for governments considering stricter rules for younger users. The approach has prompted wider debate over the responsibilities of technology companies and the role of governments in protecting minors online.
France also passed a similar law, but the country’s Constitutional Council struck it down in August, highlighting the legal and regulatory obstacles that can arise when governments attempt to restrict access to digital platforms based on age.
These developments illustrate the different approaches countries are taking to address concerns about children’s online activity. While some governments are pursuing broad restrictions, others are navigating legal challenges and exploring coordinated regulatory or technological solutions.
For Greece, the January 2027 start date gives platforms a limited window to prepare for the new requirements. The coming months will be crucial in determining how the ban is enforced and whether age-verification systems can meet the government’s expectations.
Credits: France 24
What Greece’s social media ban means for technology companies
The legislation could increase compliance obligations for social media companies operating in Greece, particularly those that rely on large numbers of younger users. Platforms will need to assess their age-verification processes, privacy protections and methods for preventing children under 15 from accessing their services.
The policy also adds to the wider international debate over how governments should balance child protection, privacy and access to digital services.
For parents, the Greek government says the restrictions are intended to provide additional support in managing children’s online behaviour. For technology companies, the immediate priority will be preparing systems that comply with the law before it takes effect.
As Greece moves towards implementation, attention will focus on how platforms enforce the age limit, how personal data is protected and whether other European countries adopt similar restrictions. The outcome could help shape the next phase of regulation governing children’s access to social media.
