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Greece’s parliament has passed a law banning children under 15 from using social media platforms, joining a growing number of governments introducing restrictions on young people’s access to social networks.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis first announced plans for the social media ban in April, describing the measure as “difficult but necessary”. He used TikTok, one of the most popular platforms among young people in Greece, to explain the government’s decision.
The legislation passed after a lengthy parliamentary debate that began on Thursday and continued into Friday. Mitsotakis’s conservative New Democracy party relied on its parliamentary majority to pass the bill, with no other political party supporting it.
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The opposition socialist PASOK party abstained after proposing an alternative that would have banned social media access for children under 13 while requiring parental controls for users aged 13 and 14. Other left-wing and nationalist parties voted against the legislation.
The new law will take effect on January 1 and will require social media companies to introduce age-verification systems. Platforms that fail to comply could face significant penalties.
Greece joins more than 20 countries that have introduced or approved similar restrictions on children’s social media use. Australia became the first country to introduce a nationwide ban for users under 16.
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Supporters of such measures argue that social media platforms use algorithms designed to keep young users engaged for long periods, potentially affecting their mental health and wellbeing. Critics, however, have questioned whether age restrictions can be enforced effectively and have raised objections about free speech and access to online information.
The debate over social media regulation continues internationally as governments consider how best to protect children online while balancing privacy, digital access, and individual rights.
