Parliament’s plenary session approved a bill to protect minors on social media, entitled “Ban on the use of online social networking services by minors under the age of 15”.
Only New Democracy backed the bill in principle. Among the opposition parties, PASOK abstained, while SYRIZA, Greek Solution, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), NIKI and Course of Freedom voted against it, according to ERT.
What the new bill provides
The legislation sets 15 as the minimum age for access to social media and makes platforms responsible for reliably verifying users’ ages. It will come into force on 1 January 2027, allowing time for adjustment.
Greece thus becomes the first country in the European Union to establish rules that are reasonable, proportionate, effective and compatible with European law to protect children in the digital environment.
The national initiative is grounded in Article 21 of the Constitution, which places childhood under the protection of the state. It also balances the right to participate in the Information Society (Article 5A), the protection of personal data (Article 9A) and the principle of proportionality (Article 25). The best interests of the child, as enshrined in the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, are also a primary consideration.
A central element of the bill is the assumption of meaningful corporate responsibility. The provider knows how its product is designed, holds the data and can change its features and must therefore apply appropriate safeguards. Simply stating an age in the terms of use does not ensure that the rule is followed in practice. Particular emphasis is also placed on protecting privacy.
Greece is one of seven countries (Cyprus, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy and Spain) working with the European Commission on a European age-verification solution. Verification will transmit only the minimum information necessary — whether the age threshold is met — without mandating a single technology and with the possibility of correcting errors. The rules apply exclusively to social networking services and are distinct from private communication and educational use.
The national initiative sits within the European framework of the Digital Services Act (DSA), drawing on cooperation between the competent authorities and cross-border supervision procedures.
Our country is also actively involved in shaping the EU Kids Act proposal, which aims to establish common European rules for protecting minors. Implementation will involve clear reporting channels, preparation of the competent authorities and ongoing monitoring of the measure’s compliance and effectiveness.
In his remarks, Minister of State Akis Skertsos said the bill addresses a question facing almost every family: how can a child grow up with freedom and safety when a significant part of their life unfolds in digital environments designed by others?
“Parents see the effects at home every day: in the phone that is hard to put down, in the lost sleep, in the constant comparisons with images of lifestyles and appearance.” As he stressed, they need practical support and a state that takes on its share of responsibility.
“Relying solely on parental supervision creates inequalities. Every child is entitled to a common level of protection, regardless of the time, knowledge and resources their family has,” he said.
The Minister of State linked the regulation to the government’s broader approach to technology. “A strong state in the digital age must protect and create. It must curb practices that exploit vulnerabilities and develop infrastructure, skills and capabilities. Democratic policymaking has a responsibility to guide technological change.”
Responding to opposition concerns about tiered access for 13- to 15-year-olds under parental supervision, Mr Skertsos explained that the relevant provision in the EU Kids Act is still a proposal. It is not current European law and cannot be adopted unilaterally as a national framework without circumventing the DSA’s restrictions.
“Once it is finalised and becomes applicable, Greek legislation will be adjusted where necessary. We do not have that luxury. We choose not to wait for events to overtake us. We choose to lead, work with Europe and pave the way for children’s safety,” the Minister of State said.
In his remarks, Minister for Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence Dimitris Papastergiou stressed that “with this bill, we are setting a clear minimum age of 15 for access to social media, from 1 January 2027. The platforms are responsible for enforcing the rule and must take the necessary measures, facing fines of up to 6% of their global turnover”.
Mr Papastergiou said “we want our children to discover the possibilities of technology, but also to have the time and space to grow up safely”. On age verification, he said “when there is doubt about a user’s age, platforms can use tools such as Kids Wallet, reliably and with respect for privacy, in line with the European framework”.
The Minister for Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence recalled that Greece, at the initiative of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, brought the issue to the European debate at an early stage and continues to help shape common rules.
“We want parents to have meaningful support and children to have more opportunities for play, friendships and real-life experiences beyond the screen. Let’s give our children the chance to enjoy their childhood and all the things that cannot fit into a digital app.”
Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis described “protecting the mental and physical health of our children as an overriding priority”. Digital addiction, he said, is a modern public health challenge that the state cannot ignore, noting that “excessive use of social media affects sleep, concentration, social life and the emotional development of minors”.
With the bill, the Health Minister said, Greece is setting a clear minimum age for access to social media, protecting children under 15 and imposing specific obligations on digital platforms.
“As Health Minister, and as a father, I believe it is our duty to create a safer digital environment for the next generation. We are not against technology and progress. We are against the risks that threaten our children’s health and healthy development”. He added that the government was taking meaningful institutional action while also playing an active role in the European effort to protect minors online.
“Our aim is to support parents, strengthen prevention and ensure that our children grow up with greater safety, balance and real human interaction.”