Greece bans social media for under-15s as parliament passes new law
The Greek parliament has passed a law banning the use of social media by people under the age of 15. Greece now joins a growing number of countries tightening rules governing children's online activity.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's party, New Democracy, used its majority to pass the bill on Friday. None of the other political parties backed the bill in a heated debate that started on Thursday, despite a growing group of countries worldwide introducing restrictions on minors.
Greece's new laws will come into effect on January 1, 2027. The law will require age verification on social networks and impose harsh penalties should companies fail to comply.
Mitsotakis had previously announced plans for the ban in April, taking to TikTok — one of the most popular social networks with young people in Greece — to explain the 'difficult but necessary' measure his government planned to take.
The opposition socialist PASOK party abstained from the vote, after seeking an alternative bill that would have banned social media for under-13s and introduced parental controls for 13- and 14-year-olds.
The ban brings Greece into line with about 20 countries that now restrict access to social media apps for young people. Australia, France, Brazil, Indonesia, Austria, Denmark and the UK are among those that have either introduced or plan similar restrictions.
Critics say social networks use addictive algorithms to glue kids to their screens, and warn excessive scrolling can damage their mental health. It is amid fears of addiction that countries are tightening rules around children's online activity.
Bans have also faced pushback, however, with questions about their enforcement and how effective they really are.
In Greece's case, mandatory age verification will be the main enforcement tool. How companies carry out that verification, and how far penalties are applied in practice, will only become clear after the law takes effect.
The bill passed amid party division — the governing party passed it alone, no opposition party backed it, and PASOK abstained. Even so, the law is now real and will take effect from the start of 2027.
What remains to be seen is how far Greece's move influences similar efforts elsewhere in Europe, and what its real impact on young people's social media use turns out to be.
