Greece's parliament has passed a social media ban for children under 15, set to take effect on January 1, 2027. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis championed the measure, calling it "difficult but necessary," making Greece one of the first EU nations to impose such restrictions. The law targets major platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X, mandating robust age-verification methods.
Failure to comply carries fines under the EU Digital Services Act. To enforce the ban, parents must download state-backed apps like Kids Wallet or Gov.gr, paired to their child's device. These apps use "age tokens" to confirm age while minimizing personal data disclosure.
The legislation faced opposition from minority parties, but Mitsotakis used his majority to pass it. This follows a 2024 ban on mobile phones in Greek schools. Opinion polls indicate widespread adult support for the measure.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Mitsotakis urged the EU to adopt similar rules, noting Australia's recent attempt faced implementation challenges. The European Commission's EU Kids Act currently bans only children under 13.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing