Greek Digital Governance: Underage Access Restriction Takes Effect

The new regulatory framework in Greece is set to commence on January 1, 2027, marking the formal start of a national ban on social media access for children under the age of fifteen. This date serves as the operational deadline for the recently enacted legislation, which represents a concrete step in the country's ongoing effort to regulate digital environments for minors. The timing ensures that platform operators have a clear timeline to implement the necessary technical and administrative changes before the rules become enforceable.

The measure was approved by the Greek parliament following an initial proposal made by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis earlier this year. Mitsotakis described the bill as a difficult but necessary step for the nation. This legislation stands out as one of the first of its kind within the European Union. The law explicitly covers major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. These services are required to adopt age verification methods that are both reliable and proportionate to the context of use.

Dimitris Papastergiou, the minister for digital governance and AI, defended the government's decision to act unilaterally rather than waiting for broader European consensus. He noted that inaction would have been easier but argued that the current challenges demanded immediate responsibility. Papastergiou stated that children are increasingly immersed in the internet and that a responsible government must fulfill its obligations. His comments highlight the government's view that waiting for a perfect European law was not a viable option given the current state of digital exposure.

Enforcement of the new act will rely on the EU's Digital Services Act, which provides the mechanism for levying fines on non-compliant services. Beyond platform requirements, parents will play an active role in the system. They are required to install state-backed applications, such as Kids Wallet or Gov.gr, on their devices. These apps will be paired with the child's device to block access. Papastergiou explained that these tools are designed to protect privacy. They utilize age tokens to confirm a user's age while minimizing the amount of personal data disclosed during the verification process.

The legislative process was not without political friction. Minority parties in Greece opposed the bill, but the ruling majority secured its passage. This development follows a 2024 policy that already barred mobile phones in schools. Current opinion polls suggest that the adult population in Greece widely supports the new social media ban for children. The broad public backing has helped the government move forward despite opposition from smaller political groups.

The government views this national law as a stepping stone for broader regional change. Mitsotakis has previously stated that the aim is to encourage the European Union to adopt similar measures. The European Commission has recently introduced the EU Kids Act, which aligns with this direction. However, that proposed law currently stipulates an outright ban only for children under the age of thirteen, making the Greek threshold of fifteen years old more restrictive than the proposed EU standard.

Greece is not the first country to enact such a ban, as Australia implemented a full social media ban for kids earlier. However, the Australian experience has highlighted the difficulties of implementation. Specifically, the age verification process has proved challenging to execute effectively. Greece's approach with age tokens and state-backed apps suggests a focus on solving these technical hurdles while balancing privacy concerns with regulatory compliance.

As the January 2027 deadline approaches, attention will turn to how smoothly the transition unfolds. The success of the ban will depend on the accuracy of age verification systems and the adoption rate of the parental control apps. The government aims to set a precedent for other European nations, hoping that the Greek model will influence future legislative frameworks across the continent.