Mitsotakis Pushes Through Greece's Under-15 Social Media Ban

The central tension in Athens’ latest digital policy is the gap between immediate national action and the slower pace of European harmonization. Greece has officially enacted a ban on social media usage for children under the age of 15, a move that signals a departure from waiting for a unified continental framework. By taking unilateral action, the Greek government is positioning itself as a pioneer in digital child protection within the European Union, effectively forcing the issue before a comprehensive EU-wide law is fully established.

The legislative journey began earlier in 2026 when Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis first announced the measure. He characterized the bill as "difficult but necessary," acknowledging the political friction involved while emphasizing the urgency of the problem. After passing through parliament, the law is now official, with implementation scheduled for January 1, 2027. This timeline allows platforms and parents a brief period to adjust to the new regulatory environment.

The conflict between national ambition and EU standard-setting is evident in the current landscape. While Greece acts now, the European Commission has only recently introduced the EU Kids Act. That upcoming legislation mandates an outright ban only for children under 13, a lower threshold than the Greek standard. Mitsotakis has stated that his government aims to push the EU in this direction, suggesting that Greece’s stricter approach is intended to set a precedent for future European policy.

The practical application of the ban relies heavily on new state-supported infrastructure. Parents will be required to download government-backed applications, such as Kids Wallet or Gov.gr, which must be paired to their child’s device to block access to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. These apps utilize "age tokens" to verify a child's age while minimizing the collection of personal data, a design choice intended to protect privacy during the verification process.

Digital Governance and AI Minister Dimitris Papastergiou defended the necessity of the move, arguing that inaction was no longer a viable option. He noted that waiting for a perfect European law was an easy path, but the daily reality of children engaging with the internet demanded a responsible government response. The ministry asserts that the new tools are proportionate and reliable, addressing concerns about how age verification will be conducted without excessive data harvesting.

The political path to enactment was not without friction. Minority parties in the Greek parliament opposed the legislation, but Mitsotakis leveraged his majority to secure its passage. This move follows a broader trend of digital regulation in the country, which previously banned mobile phones in schools in 2024. Opinion polls indicate that the adult population widely supports the new social media ban, suggesting that the government’s decision aligns with public sentiment despite partisan opposition.

Compliance with the new act is enforced through the EU’s Digital Services Act, meaning that non-compliant platforms face significant fines. This financial pressure ensures that major social media companies are motivated to implement the necessary age-verification methods. The Greek approach mirrors the trajectory of Australia, which was the first nation to enact a full social media ban for kids, although that country has faced challenges in implementing its age-verification systems.

Looking ahead, the January 2027 start date marks the beginning of a new phase in digital governance. Success will depend on the seamless integration of the Kids Wallet and Gov.gr apps with major platforms and the continued support of the public. As the EU Kids Act progresses, Greece’s experience with this stricter standard may influence how other member states approach the balance between online freedom and digital safety for minors.