Greece is sending a strong signal in the fight against the negative effects of digital media on children and young people. The government plans to ban the use of social networks for under-15s by law from the beginning of 2027. With this measure, the country is responding to growing concerns about mental health, data protection and digital addiction. The initiative could have far-reaching implications for Europe and trigger a new debate on age restrictions in the digital space.
- Social media ban for under-15s to come into force from 2027
- Age verification by platform operators required by law
- Government “Kids Wallet” app to control and restrict access
- The aim is to protect against addictive behavior, sleep problems and psychological stress
Greece bans social media for under-15s: background and implementation
With the planned decision, Greece is positioning itself as a pioneer in Europe. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis officially announced the measure, citing the increasing health and social risks posed by social networks. In particular, anxiety, sleep problems and the manipulative mechanisms of many platforms are the focus of criticism. There are also fears that the constant comparison with other users has a negative impact on young people’s self-esteem.
The restrictions are due to come into force at the beginning of 2027 and build on existing measures. Greece had already banned the use of cell phones in schools in 2024 in order to reduce distractions and promote concentration. With the new initiative, the government is going one step further and extending the protection of young users to the digital space outside the classroom.
@kyriakosmitsotakis_Αποφασίσαμενα προχωρήσουμε σε κάτι δύσκολο αλλά απαραίτητο: να απαγορεύσουμε την πρόσβαση στα social media σε παιδιά κάτω των 15 ετών.♬ original sound – Kyriakos Mitsotakis
A central component of the implementation is the obligation of social media companies to verify age. Platforms must ensure that minors are not granted access. Non-compliance could result in sanctions under the European Union’s Digital Services Act. In addition, the government is planning to introduce a state-supported application called “Kids Wallet”. This is to be linked to children’s devices and block access to social networks.
The actual technical implementation is currently still being worked out. Nevertheless, the project is considered plausible, as similar initiatives are already being implemented or discussed around the world. Countries such as Indonesia, Austria and Australia have introduced similar measures, while stricter age restrictions are also being considered in the UK.
International signal effect and social debate
The planned regulation could have an impact far beyond national borders. Greece is pursuing the goal of initiating a Europe-wide discussion and persuading the European Union to introduce stricter rules for dealing with social media. If the implementation is successful, the model could serve as a blueprint for other countries.
The government is receiving support from the population. Surveys show broad support among adults, who are increasingly concerned about the digital safety of children. At the same time, the measure is not without controversy, as critics warn of possible restrictions on digital education and personal freedom.
From a technological perspective, age verification in particular poses a challenge. Platform operators must develop secure and data protection-compliant solutions in order to meet legal requirements. This could lead to innovations in the field of digital identity and online security. At the same time, the initiative strengthens the trend towards responsible technology and increases the pressure on tech companies to align their services more closely with the protection of minors.
The plans are considered realistic and are in line with current global developments. In view of growing concerns regarding data protection, mental health and digital dependency, such a regulatory step seems increasingly plausible.
Conclusion
With the planned social media ban for under 15-year-olds, Greece is sending a strong signal for more youth protection in the digital age. Its introduction from 2027 underlines the political will to curb the risks of social networks and establish new standards. There will be no price implications, but the availability of social platforms for minors will be significantly restricted. The initiative could play a pioneering role for future EU-wide regulations.
Source: New York Times
