Greece bans social media access for children under 15

The Greek Parliament has passed legislation prohibiting children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms. The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and will require major platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X to implement reliable age-verification mechanisms.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that digital platforms have approximately two and a half months to develop verification systems that protect user privacy. The government intends to use digital tools, such as the Gov.gr Wallet or Kids Wallet, to confirm age thresholds without requiring the disclosure of full identities or exact birth dates.

Non-compliant technology companies could face significant financial penalties, with some reports suggesting fines of up to 6% of their annual global turnover. The measure aims to protect the mental health and safety of minors by addressing issues like excessive scrolling, which can impact sleep and concentration. While the ban targets social media, it is not expected to restrict general internet access or digital communication services like WhatsApp.