Internet: Griechenland verbietet soziale Medien für unter 15-Jährige

On January 1, 2027, the Greek Parliament passed a law banning social media platforms for children and teenagers under 15 years old, ERT News reported. This regulation will be in effect starting next year, making Greece the first EU country to implement such a ban. During the lengthy debate, the Minister for Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, Dimitris Papastergiou, defended the new rule as a necessary, effective, and proportionate measure that complies with EU law.

"It would be very easy today to do nothing and wait for the perfect European law," he said. Uncontrolled internet use can make children dependent and harm their mental health, the minister emphasized. Going forward, platforms will have to verify the age of their users. The "Kids Wallet" app, developed by the Greek Ministry for Digital Governance, will help with this, linking the app to the child's data.

Upon age verification, the platform can digitally confirm that the age limit has been reached without obtaining the platform's full personal data. France was the first EU country to introduce a ban on social networks for children and teenagers under 15 years old last July, but the Constitutional Council struck down the law in August 2026, citing an excessive infringement on freedom of expression and communication.

French President Emmanuel Macron is still committed to the ban and has tasked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu with a legally sound revision. The EU Commission presented the EU Kids Act in September, proposing a ban on social media for under 13-year-olds and allowing accounts from 15 years old. The proposal is currently under discussion by the EU Parliament and Member States.