Greece's parliament passes a bill to ban social media platforms for children under 15 from 2027 and gives companies two months to verify users' ages

Social media platforms must now verify age for Greek users under 15, or face penalties.

Greece's parliament has enacted a law banning children under 15 from accessing social media platforms, effective January 1, 2027. The bill, proposed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in April, requires social media companies to implement age verification measures and imposes penalties for non-compliance. The conservative New Democracy party passed the bill with its majority, while opposition parties either abstained or voted against it, with some advocating for lower age limits or parental controls. Greece joins a growing international trend of nations implementing restrictions on social media use for minors, with Australia having previously banned access for under-16s. Critics argue that social media platforms employ addictive algorithms that negatively impact young people's mental health.

This legislation signifies a continued global regulatory push towards safeguarding minors online, particularly concerning the pervasive influence of social media. By mandating age verification, Greece is placing a direct compliance burden on tech companies, forcing them to invest in and implement robust systems to identify and restrict underage users. This move by Greece, following similar actions in Australia and other nations, suggests a growing consensus among governments about the potential harms of early and unrestricted social media exposure, potentially leading to further legislative action in other countries.

The law's implementation by 2027 and the two-month window for companies to comply indicate a phased approach to enforcement. This timeline allows platforms to adapt their technology and policies, but also highlights the urgency governments feel in addressing the issue. The varied stances of Greek political parties also reflect ongoing debates about the appropriate balance between child protection, free speech, and parental rights, which will likely shape future discussions and amendments to such laws globally.