Greece moves to restrict youth social media access with new digital age rules
A new regulation in Greece requires platforms to verify age and strengthen protections for minors online.
New measures to protect minors online have been announced by Greece, introducing a national ‘digital age of majority’, restricting access to social media for users under 15.
The policy forms part of a broader strategy addressing child safety and digital overuse, with implementation scheduled for January 2027.
An initiative that places primary responsibility on platforms, requiring robust age-verification systems and periodic re-verification of existing accounts. Authorities will oversee compliance under the EU’s Digital Services Act framework, with penalties including fines and operational restrictions for violations.
The policy builds on earlier tools such as KidsWallet, an age-verification mechanism already deployed nationally.
Authorities in Greece argue that reliance on parental control alone is insufficient, citing increasing evidence linking excessive platform use to mental health risks, including anxiety, reduced sleep, and social isolation.
A proposal that aligns with wider European discussions on youth protection, including efforts to establish a unified digital age threshold across member states.
Greece has also called for stronger EU-wide enforcement mechanisms, positioning the measure as part of a coordinated approach to safeguarding minors in digital environments.
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