Politics · Other · 1 hr ago
Greece approves social media ban for children under 15 from 2027
Greece's parliament approved a ban on social media for children under 15 on Thursday.
The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.
The government says the measure is intended to protect young people's health and safety.
Digital platforms will be responsible for checking users' ages, using a system that has raised concerns about privacy and personal data.
Greece's digital governance minister said the government app Kids Wallet can confirm whether someone is over or under 15 without sharing their birth date or tracking their online activity.
Critics say the restrictions lack enough scientific support and should wait for a European proposal on age limits.
Greece is working with six other European countries on an age-checking system, and the law is due to take effect in 2027.
Greece’s Parliament approved a law banning children under 15 from accessing social media from 1 January 2027.
The governing New Democracy party was the only party to support the bill.
Several opposition parties voted against it, while PASOK abstained.
The main dispute concerned age verification and safeguards for personal data.
The government said the measure would protect children, while opponents questioned its evidence and timing.
- Who
- Greece’s Parliament approved the law, with the governing New Democracy party supporting it.
- What
- The law bans children under 15 from accessing social media.
- When
- Parliament approved it on Thursday; it is due to take effect on 1 January 2027.
- Where
- Greece.
- Why
- The government says the measure is needed to protect children’s health and safety.
Greek government
Opposing parties
Age verification
Greek government
The government says the Kids Wallet app can check whether a user is over 15 without sharing personal information.
Opposing parties
Opponents criticized the age-verification system and questioned safeguards for personal data.
Basis and timing
Greek government
The government defended the law as necessary and compatible with EU law.
Opposing parties
Opponents said the measures lacked sufficient scientific support and were being considered before a corresponding European proposal was approved.
Greece’s Parliament approved the bill after it passed a second reading in the relevant committees.
The ban on social media access for children under 15 is due to take effect.
- Minimum age
- 15
- Effective date
- 1 January 2027
- Supporting party
- New Democracy
- Abstaining party
- PASOK
- Age-check app
- Kids Wallet
What people are saying
necessary, effective, compatible with EU law and proportionate
We have been legislating since 2019 with a single criterion: the protection of public health and safety and, even more, the protection of vulnerable people
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