Greece bars children under 15 from social media starting in 2027
Parents cannot authorize exceptions, and platforms must verify users’ ages under the new law.
Greek lawmakers have adopted a social media ban covering children younger than 15, with implementation scheduled for January 1, 2027. According to state broadcaster ERT, the vote came late on October 22 after parliamentary discussions lasting more than 16 hours.
The restrictions include Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Proto Thema reported that coverage will be determined by what a service does rather than what it is called. Children who already have accounts will also be subject to the ban, regardless of whether their parents approve their use.
Age checks will be mandatory for platforms. The government’s Kids Wallet app will indicate whether a user meets the age threshold without disclosing a name or birth date. Presenting the system, Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou said platforms would receive no personal data belonging to children.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has set a period of roughly two and a half months for platforms to develop verification systems that preserve privacy. Domestic oversight will rest with Greece’s data protection authority and broadcasting council; the European Commission will handle enforcement for the largest services through the Digital Services Act. Neither children nor parents face new fines under the legislation.
Only the governing New Democracy party supported the measure. PASOK abstained. Votes against came from SYRIZA, Greek Solution, the Communist Party, Niki and Course of Freedom, as opposition parties raised legal and practical objections.
