Greece Approves Social Media Ban for Children Under 15

Greece’s Parliament approved legislation on 23 October 2026 prohibiting children under 15 from using social media platforms. The ban is scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2027. It covers platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, and applies to existing accounts as well as new users.

Age Verification and Privacy

The legislation requires users to establish that they meet the minimum age through an age-verification system. Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said platforms had 2.5 months to develop systems that verify users’ ages while protecting their privacy. Parental consent will not exempt a child under 15 from the restriction.

The system is linked to the KidsWallet app, which has operated since late 2025. It uses cryptographic attestations, including zero-knowledge proofs, to confirm that a person is over 15 without disclosing personal data. A zero-knowledge proof is a cryptographic method for verifying a claim without revealing the underlying information used to establish it.

Scope and Stated Objectives

The measure addresses concerns about children’s health and safety in relation to social media use. Its stated objectives include reducing “endless scrolling” and limiting effects on sleep, concentration and time spent with friends. It also seeks to reduce minors’ exposure to inappropriate content and cyberbullying.

The age-verification requirement applies to accounts already held by minors; those accounts are not exempt. Adult users are required to link their accounts to a government-issued age token through the KidsWallet app under the stated framework.

European Union Context

Greece is working with six other European Union countries and the European Commission on a common age-verification solution. The Greek framework could inform future EU-wide rules, including the proposed EU Kids Act. A similar law in France was struck down by the French Constitutional Council in August 2026.

Important Facts for Exams

• Greece’s Parliament approved the social media restriction on 23 October 2026.
• The ban is due to take effect on 1 January 2027 and covers children under 15.
• Zero-knowledge proofs can verify a claim without disclosing the underlying personal information.
• The European Commission is working with Greece and six other EU countries on age verification.

The restriction applies to platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. Parental consent does not override the age limit.