Greece has approved legislation banning children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to protect young people from potential online risks.
The bill was approved by Greece’s parliament on Friday, amid growing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health, safety, sleep, concentration and everyday social interactions. The new restrictions are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said social media platforms would have two and a half months to develop systems that can verify users’ ages while protecting their personal information. The move highlights the growing challenge governments face in balancing children’s online safety with privacy rights.
Greece is not alone in taking action. Australia became the first country to pass legislation restricting social media access for minors last year. Meanwhile, France has also pursued similar restrictions, although a comparable law was struck down by the country’s Constitutional Council in August.
At the European level, Greece is among seven European Union countries working with the European Commission to find an effective age-verification solution. The wider effort reflects increasing concern among policymakers about how to make digital platforms safer for younger users without compromising their privacy.
The Greek government says the ban is intended to support parents as they navigate the challenges of raising children in an increasingly digital world. Officials have raised concerns about endless scrolling and how excessive social media use can interfere with sleep, reduce concentration and leave children with less time to spend with friends and family.
For parents, educators and child protection advocates, the decision brings an important conversation into focus: how can children benefit from technology while being protected from its potential harms? As social media becomes more deeply embedded in daily life, governments are under growing pressure to establish clear boundaries and encourage healthier digital habits.
Greece’s new legislation will be closely watched as its implementation approaches in 2027. Its effectiveness will depend not only on age-verification systems and platform compliance but also on how families, schools and policymakers work together to help children develop a healthier relationship with the digital world.
Ultimately, the debate goes beyond restricting access to social media. It raises a broader question about how society can protect childhood, support young people’s well-being and ensure that technology serves their development rather than taking time away from sleep, learning and meaningful human connections.
