Greece has approved legislation banning children under 15 from using social media, joining a growing international push to protect young people from the potential harms of online platforms.
The Greek Parliament passed the bill on Friday, October 23, with the ban scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.
The legislation comes amid increasing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health, sleep, concentration and social development.
Platforms Face New Age Verification Requirements
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said social media companies have approximately two and a half months to develop systems that verify users’ ages while protecting their privacy.
The measures aim to prevent underage users from accessing platforms and address concerns about excessive screen time and what authorities describe as the damaging effects of endless scrolling.
The Greek government says the restrictions are intended to support parents as they navigate the challenges of raising children in an increasingly digital world.
Officials have raised concerns that excessive social media use can deprive children of sleep, undermine their ability to concentrate and reduce the time they spend interacting with friends in person.
Greece Joins Growing International Push
Greece’s decision follows similar efforts by governments around the world to restrict children’s access to social media.
Australia became the first country to pass legislation restricting social media access for minors, establishing a precedent for other governments considering tougher age limits.
France has also pursued restrictions, although a similar law was struck down by the country’s Constitutional Council in August 2026.
Greece is among seven European Union member states seeking an age verification solution in cooperation with the European Commission, reflecting broader efforts to establish consistent safeguards for children across the bloc.
What Happens Next?
With the ban due to begin on January 1, 2027, social media platforms face a short timeframe to prepare for the new requirements.
The implementation of age verification systems will be central to enforcing the restrictions while ensuring users’ personal information remains protected.
The legislation marks a significant shift in Greece’s approach to children’s online safety, placing greater responsibility on social media companies to prevent underage access.
The effectiveness of the ban will depend on how the rules are enforced and whether platforms can reliably verify users’ ages without compromising their privacy.
Source: Reuters
SEO Package
SEO Title: Greece Bans Social Media for Children Under 15 From 2027
Meta Description: Greece approves a social media ban for children under 15 from January 1, 2027, requiring platforms to develop age verification systems.
Focus Keyphrase: Greece social media ban
Slug: greece-social-media-ban-children-under-15
Excerpt: Greece has passed legislation banning children under 15 from using social media from January 1, 2027, giving platforms a deadline to develop age verification systems.
Tags: Greece, Social Media, Children, Online Safety, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, European Union, Technology, Digital Privacy
The post Greece Bans Social Media for Children Under 15 From 2027 appeared first on Greek City Times.