Greece’s parliament approved legislation on October 23 banning children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, as concerns grow over the potential effects of online services on minors’ health and safety.
The ban is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said social media companies would have two and a half months to develop systems for verifying users’ ages while protecting their privacy.
The government says the restrictions are intended to help parents address excessive social media use, including the ‘endless scrolling’ that officials say can deprive children of sleep, concentration and time spent with friends. The measure places greater emphasis on the role of platforms in preventing underage access.
Σήμερα ψηφίζουμε το νομοσχέδιο για επιβολή ορίου ηλικίας για πρόσβαση στα social media. https://t.co/pJfSbBk3BN
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) October 22, 2026
Greece is also working with six other European Union countries to develop an age-verification solution in cooperation with the European Commission. The initiative reflects wider efforts across Europe to establish safeguards for children using digital platforms while addressing concerns about privacy and implementation.
Australia became the first country to pass legislation restricting social media access for minors last year, with its restrictions on users under 16 taking effect in December 2025. France also approved legislation to restrict access for children under 15, but the country’s Constitutional Council struck down the measure in August, citing concerns over freedom of expression.
The Greek decision adds to a growing international debate over how governments should regulate children’s access to social media. The effectiveness of the new restrictions will depend on how platforms verify ages, enforce the rules and protect personal information as the January deadline approaches.
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