Greek parents get new tools to limit teen social media access

For families in Greece, the way their children interact with the internet is about to change. Starting on January 1, 2027, a new national law will prevent individuals under the age of 15 from using popular social media services. This means that young users will no longer be able to freely access platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X without specific verification. The change aims to give parents more control over their children's digital lives by requiring these services to implement reliable age-checking methods. If the platforms do not comply, they face penalties under existing European Union rules.

The path to this legislation began earlier this year when Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the plan. He described the measure as difficult but necessary for the country. While other nations have discussed similar ideas, Greece is moving quickly to become one of the first countries in the European Union to impose such a ban. The goal is to address what officials see as a growing problem with young people spending too much time online. The law sets a clear boundary for who can access these digital spaces without direct oversight.

The push for this change was driven by a sense of urgency among government leaders. Dimitris Papastergiou, the minister for digital governance and AI, argued that waiting for a perfect law from the EU was not an option. He noted that children are increasingly immersed in the internet daily and that a responsible government needs to act. Papastergiou emphasized that inaction was no longer a viable choice for protecting young citizens. This sentiment helped drive the bill through the legislative process despite some opposition.

Parents will play a direct role in enforcing the new rules. They will need to download specific applications called Kids Wallet or Gov.gr onto their own devices and link them to their child's phone. These apps will block access to social media unless the parent grants permission. The system relies on a technology called age tokens, which are designed to verify a user's age while keeping their personal data private. This approach aims to balance security with privacy, ensuring that children's information is not overly exposed to third parties.

The political process to pass the bill was not without friction. Minority parties in the Greek parliament opposed the legislation, arguing against the restrictions. However, Prime Minister Mitsotakis used his majority in government to push the bill through. This follows a previous move by the nation in 2024, which banned mobile phones in schools. Recent opinion polls suggest that a large portion of the adult population in Greece supports the new social media ban, indicating broad public backing for the government's decision.

The new Greek law also fits into a larger European context. Mitsotakis has stated that his government hopes to influence the broader EU to take similar steps. The European Commission has recently introduced the EU Kids Act, which aims to create a framework for protecting children online. However, that proposed EU law would only ban social media for children under 13, making the Greek standard stricter. By acting now, Greece is setting a precedent that may encourage other member states to tighten their own rules.

Greece is not the first country to try this approach. Australia enacted a full social media ban for kids before Greece did. However, Australia has faced challenges in implementing age verification effectively. The Greek government is aware of these difficulties and is focusing on using proportionate and reliable methods to check ages. The hope is that the specific design of the Greek system, including the use of age tokens, will make compliance smoother for both parents and tech companies.

As the law takes effect next year, the focus will shift to implementation. Tech companies will need to adjust their systems to verify user ages accurately. Parents will need to become familiar with the new apps and how they function. The coming months will be a period of adjustment for many households as they navigate these new digital boundaries. The success of the ban will depend on how well these tools work in daily life and how consistently parents use them.

This development marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate about screen time and youth. By setting a clear age limit, Greece is taking a proactive step to manage its children's online presence. The law reflects a broader trend of governments stepping in to regulate digital platforms that affect young people. As January 1, 2027, approaches, the impact of this policy will be closely watched by other nations looking for effective ways to protect children in the digital age.