The bill banning minors under the age of 15 from using social media online from January 1, 2027, was approved by a majority in Parliament’s plenary session late on Thursday.
Only ruling New Democracy (ND) voted in favor of the bill in principle.
Αong opposition parties, PASOK voted “present”, while SYRIZA, Greek Solution, KKE, Niki and Freedom Course voted against it.
The bill effectively leaves it up to social media platforms to decided how to implement “the age verification” and forbid access to those below the age of 15.
Furthermore, it threatens with sanctions and fines platforms that will not comply.
The bill is in fact nothing more than a forerunner of an upcoming European Union relevant legislation on this matter.
In Greece it will go in effect as of 1. January 2027.
During the debate in Parliament, Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence Minister Dimitris Papastergiou defended the new regulations, describing them as a necessary, effective and proportionate solution compatible with EU law.
“It would have been very easy to do absolutely nothing today and wait for the perfect European law. But the challenge is here. Children are sinking into the internet every day, and I believe a responsible government must do what it is obliged to do. We did the same with the sale of alcohol and tobacco products, and this succeeded in curbing their sales in the first few months,” Papastergiou said.
The Minister added that, from January 1, 2027, social media platforms would have to determine whether their accounts and services were intended for adults or minors.
The Digital Governance Minister placed particular emphasis on the Kids Wallet application, noting that it was developed not only as part of a European initiative but also in response to a question raised by the platforms.
“Kids Wallet is not a Greek invention. It follows a code and technical specifications set out by Europe last summer. And I repeat: it does not disclose any personal data about children or users, providing only an indication of whether they are above or below the age of 15, not even their date of birth,” he stressed.