Greece passes under-15 social media ban, and every user may soon have to prove their age
Greece has passed a law banning under-15s from social media from January 2027. Here’s how the age checks will work and what it means for Greek teens.
Greece's parliament has approved a law banning users under 15 from using social media platforms, beginning January 1, 2027. To enforce the ban, online services must verify users' ages, with the government proposing the Kids Wallet app for age verification. Greece follows Australia's lead, while France's attempt was ruled invalid, and the UK is formulating its own regulations.
The law took effect after a prolonged debate in parliament, with the New Democracy party supporting it while other parties opposed. The law's strictness means parents cannot grant consent for children to sign up, and accounts created before January 1 won't be exempt. Services like LinkedIn are included in the ban, while messaging apps remain accessible to under-15s.
When a platform cannot verify a user's age, a QR code from the Kids Wallet app will be displayed, confirming whether the user is over or under 15 without disclosing their actual age. The Greek Broadcasting Council and Data Protection Authority will monitor compliance, with the European Commission overseeing larger platforms under the Digital Services Act.
The ban has raised concerns about online anonymity, but the government remains committed, even considering measures to end anonymous profiles. Greece joins a growing list of countries implementing similar bans, including Australia, France, the UK, Slovenia, Spain, and Austria, with the EU drafting its own Kids Act.
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