Greece approves social media ban for under-15s, implementation to begin in 2027

The Greek parliament on Friday approved a bill banning people under the age of 15 from accessing social media, placing Greece among countries taking restrictive measures on minors’ use of these platforms.

The bill passed with votes from the parliamentary majority of New Democracy, the ruling party led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. It did not receive support from other political parties following a heated debate that began the previous day.

The new provisions will take effect on January 1, 2027. Under the law, social media platforms will be required to verify users’ ages, and violations will carry severe penalties.

Mitsotakis had announced the government’s plans in April. In a video posted on TikTok, a platform widely used by young people in Greece, the prime minister described the restriction as a “difficult but necessary” measure.

The government says the aim is to reduce children’s exposure to the harmful effects of social media and strengthen their protection in the digital space.

PASOK, the opposition socialist party, chose to abstain. It had put forward an alternative proposal that would ban social media use for children under 13 and require parental controls for 13- and 14-year-olds.

Nevertheless, the government’s initiative passed without votes from the other parliamentary parties. With this move, Greece joins a group of around 20 countries that have adopted or are preparing restrictions on young people’s use of social media.

Countries that have introduced or are considering similar measures include Australia, France, Brazil, Indonesia, Austria, Denmark and the United Kingdom.

Supporters of these restrictions say platform algorithms are designed to keep users in front of screens for as long as possible. They warn that excessive use can harm the mental health of children and adolescents.

Opponents, meanwhile, question how the ban will be enforced, how effective it will be in practice and whether minors will be able to circumvent it.

When the law takes effect in 2027, Greece is expected to impose one of the most direct restrictions on children’s access to social media, as debate over digital safety and the impact of online platforms on young people expands worldwide.