Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a bill that would bar anyone under 15 from accessing social‑media platforms, targeting services such as YouTube, TikTok and Meta’s Instagram. The measure, slated for a summer vote, would take effect on Jan. 1, 2027 and joins bans already in force in Spain and Australia. Critics argue enforcement will be technically cumbersome and may drive youngsters to VPNs.

Implementation will rely on a state‑backed app called Kids Wallet, which links a child’s device to a parent’s account and enforces age verification under the EU Digital Services Act. Platforms that fail to comply could face fines, prompting Meta and Google to argue that blanket bans may push minors toward unregulated corners of the internet. The government estimates that 2.3 million Greek children fall under the age limit, prompting a sizable compliance effort.

Industry analysts warn that the restriction could shrink advertising revenue for firms reliant on teen engagement, while parents may turn to paid parental‑control services. Mitsotakis also urged the European Commission to adopt a bloc‑wide age‑verification framework, signalling a push for harmonised rules that could reshape the digital‑media market across the EU. If advertisers lose access to this demographic, budgets may shift toward older users or alternative channels such as podcasts.