Greece to restrict social media access for under-15s by 2027
Greece is set to introduce a strict new framework limiting access to social media for children under 15, with full implementation scheduled for January 1, 2027.
The plan, unveiled by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, forms part of a broader European effort to improve online safety for minors and aligns with the Digital Services Act governing digital platforms.
Under the new rules, minors below 15 will be barred from using major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. The transition will be gradual, with no immediate deletion of existing accounts.
A key element of the system is the introduction of mandatory age verification tools, which platforms must implement to ensure compliance. Accounts found to have provided false age information will be blocked through re-verification processes.
Responsibility for enforcement will largely fall on the platforms themselves, while Greek authorities will oversee implementation. Supervisory bodies will include the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT), the National Council for Radio and Television, and the Data Protection Authority, operating within the EU framework.
The Ministry of Digital Governance will coordinate the strategy, alongside ministers Dimitris Papastergiou, Akis Skertsos and Adonis Georgiadis. A central tool will be the KidsWallet app, designed to verify users’ ages and provide parental control features.
Officials stress that the measure is intended to support—not replace—parental supervision, highlighting the importance of family involvement in promoting responsible digital behavior.
The initiative is backed by research linking excessive social media use among children to anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and online harassment. Authorities increasingly view digital addiction as a public health concern.
Companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to 6% of global turnover, along with additional penalties or operational restrictions.
Following consultation and legislative approval expected in 2026, the policy will enter full force in 2027, marking a significant shift in how minors engage with the digital world.
