In a landmark move, Greece will prohibit minors under the age of 15 from accessing online social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and any other services where users create profiles, post content, comment, like, or follow others.
The ban takes effect January 1, 2027, and is aimed at protecting children from the risks associated with uncontrolled digital platform use.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the news on Wednesday. Later in the day, the ministers of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, Digital Governance and AI, Dimitris Papastergiou, and State, Akis Skertsos detailed the regulatory framework and highlighted Greece’s alignment with wider European Union strategies at a press conference.
Implementation of the measure will be gradual. Social media companies will be required to install reliable age verification systems and conduct biannual re-verification of all users. Greek authorities, including the Hellenic Telecommunications & Post Commission (EETT), National Council for Radio and Television (ESR), and Hellenic Data Protection Authority, will monitor compliance and forward violations to relevant European bodies.
Strict penalties have been set for non-compliance, including:
– fines up to 6% of a platform’s global turnover
– daily fines until compliance is achieved
– operational restrictions on platforms
– additional GDPR fines if personal data misuse occurs.
Photo: Greece Digital Governance & AI Ministry
The decision, announced earlier this year by Mitsotakis, is part of wider EU strategy for the protection of underage users and follows the examples of Australia, France and Spain.
“It will not work like in Australia, where responsibility is largely shifted to the platforms,” said Dimitris Papastergiou. “We propose using European age verification mechanisms, such as KidsWallet. Greece is the first country to implement it, and we recommend making it mandatory. These systems are reliable.”
He went on to add that “social media companies claim that users under 14 cannot access their platforms, but argue they cannot reliably verify age. We are now telling them: the tool exists, use it.”
During Wednesday’s press conference, expert data was presented warning that excessive exposure to social media impacts psychosocial development, contributing to anxiety, depression, loneliness, cyberbullying, and sleep disorders. Studies link early smartphone ownership with higher risks of depression and insufficient sleep.
To strengthen parental oversight, Greece will introduce the KidsWallet alongside the EU Digital Identity Wallet, enabling families to monitor and guide children’s online activity.
The ministers noted that as is the case with alcohol or driving, legislation sets the framework, but day-to-day protection depends on parental involvement.
The measure is embedded within the European Digital Services Act. Greece aims for uniform EU-wide implementation, with all platforms expected to complete technical compliance by end of 2026, ahead of the ban’s official start on January 1, 2027.
The ministers announced on Wednesday that a bill is being drafted to harmonize national law with European guidelines, establishing a clear legal framework for minors’ protection in the digital environment.
