Greece Bans Social Media Use for Under-15s Starting 2027

Greece's parliament has approved a law that forbids children under 15 from using social media platforms. Lawmakers in Athens said the measure is intended to protect the physical and mental health of children and adolescents, and it will come into force on January 1, 2027.

The legislation follows concerns from officials about the harms of extended online use. The government framed the ban as part of an effort to shield young people from risks associated with the online environment while supporting parents' efforts to manage their children’s screen time.

In public statements, Greek ministers described the need to rein in endless scrolling, which they say erodes sleep, concentration, and time spent interacting with friends. Athens also said it is working with the European Commission and is one of seven EU member states seeking a practical mechanism for verifying users' ages.

Implementation and industry response

Greek officials have told technology companies they must build the technical measures required to comply with the new law. The government did not specify particular technologies, but it made clear platforms will need to verify ages and adapt privacy settings for younger users.

Greece points to similar debates abroad. Australia was the first country last year to pass laws limiting young people’s presence on social platforms. A comparable proposal in France was struck down by that country's Constitutional Council in August.

The prime minister set a tight timetable for the industry, saying, "Social networks have two and a half months to develop a solution for age verification and protecting users' privacy."