Greece Bans Social Media for Under-15s

Greece’s parliament has approved a law barring children under 15 from using social media, scheduled to take effect January 1, 2027, in what the government says would make Greece the first EU member state to impose such a ban. Platforms will have to verify users’ ages and could face substantial fines for violations; the government also plans to use age-verification apps, while officials say the measure is intended to protect children from harmful content and excessive use. The bill passed with the governing majority’s support, but opposition parties did not back it. Its effectiveness will depend on clear definitions of covered services, reliable enforcement and age checks that protect children without collecting excessive personal data or pushing them to less-regulated platforms. The move comes amid wider European debate over age limits for social media, including EU proposals and renewed calls in Italy for restrictions following youth unrest in Milan.