On Thursday, the Greek Parliament passed a law banning the use of online social media services by individuals under 15 years old. This law, which will take effect on January 1, 2027, was approved solely with the support of the New Democracy party, while other opposing parties including Syriza, the Greek Solution, KKE, Niki, and Freedom Party voted against it. The PASOK party also did not participate in the voting.
Analysis by the Digital Minister
Dimitris Papastergiou, the Minister of Digital and Artificial Intelligence, described the move as "necessary, effective, and in line with European Union regulations," adding that social media platforms have until the beginning of next year to determine whether their accounts and services are designed for adults or not. He also pointed out the similarities of this law with age restrictions for selling alcohol and tobacco to children.
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Reasons for Passing the Law
Papastergiou stated that lawmakers cannot wait for Brussels to pass a "complete European law" and added that a message must be sent that the problem of uncontrolled internet use leading to addiction and mental health issues for children cannot continue. This action is part of a global trend that started last year in Australia, with other countries joining in.
Measures to Protect Children
Greece is one of seven European countries seeking to introduce age verification standards on social media. Supporters of this initiative believe that these restrictions can help reduce the "endless scrolling" that disrupts children's sleep and diminishes their ability to concentrate. The minister also defended the use of the "Child Wallet" app, stating that it is designed based on codes and technical specifications set by the European Union.
Papastergiou emphasized that this app does not provide any personal information about children or users, only determining their age. He said, "We owe it to our children to preserve their childhood" and added that this law provides "what society has been waiting for."
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