Greek Parliament Approves Greece Social Media Ban Under 15

• Greece's Parliament has passed a law prohibiting social media access for individuals under 15 years old.
• The legislation, championed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, takes effect on January 1, 2027.
• Social media platforms will be required to implement age verification systems and face harsh penalties for non-compliance.
• The conservative New Democracy party used its majority to pass the bill, with no support from other parties.
• Greece joins over 20 other countries, including Australia, in enacting similar age-based social media restrictions.

The law explicitly outlines severe repercussions for companies that fail to adhere to these requirements, indicating that harsh penalties will be imposed for non-compliance.

The Greek Parliament recently enacted a significant measure, approving a new law that prohibits individuals under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms. This legislative move positions Greece among a growing number of nations globally that are implementing restrictions on young people's engagement with digital applications. The initiative gained momentum following an announcement in April by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who utilized TikTok, one of the most widely used social networks among Greek youth, to articulate the rationale behind this "difficult but necessary" policy.

The passage of the Greek Parliament social media law followed an intense debate within the legislative body, which commenced on Thursday and extended into Friday. Ultimately, Prime Minister Mitsotakis's conservative New Democracy party leveraged its parliamentary majority to secure the bill's approval. Notably, the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) reported that no other political factions lent their support to the legislation. The opposition socialist PASOK – Movement for Change party chose to abstain from the vote, having previously advocated for an alternative proposal that would have imposed a social media ban for children under 13 and mandated parental controls for those aged 13 and 14. Further opposition came from other left-wing and nationalist parties, which cast votes against the final bill.

This new Greece social media ban under 15 is slated to become effective on January 1, 2027. A core component of the legislation mandates that social networks implement robust age verification systems to ensure compliance with the new age restriction. The law explicitly outlines severe repercussions for companies that fail to adhere to these requirements, indicating that harsh penalties will be imposed for non-compliance.

This regulatory shift places a significant burden on social media platforms operating in Greece, requiring them to reassess and potentially overhaul their existing user onboarding and verification processes. The emphasis on Greece age verification social media protocols underscores a broader trend towards greater accountability for tech companies regarding the protection of minors online. Lawyers advising these platforms must now navigate the intricacies of these new rules, ensuring their clients are prepared for the January 1, 2027 deadline to avoid substantial legal and financial consequences.

Greece's decision to implement a social media ban for those under 15 aligns with an increasing international movement to regulate young people's access to digital platforms. Last year, Australia pioneered such legislation, becoming the first country to introduce a similar ban, specifically for individuals under 16. An AFP tally indicates that more than 20 countries have now adopted comparable laws, signaling a global trend in this area. This pattern suggests that social media platforms Greece compliance efforts may soon reflect broader EU social media age restrictions or similar national mandates across the continent.

The impetus behind these bans often stems from concerns voiced by critics who contend that social networks employ addictive algorithms designed to maximize screen time for children. These critics frequently warn about the potential for excessive scrolling to detrimentally impact the mental health of young users. Conversely, these legislative efforts have encountered resistance from free speech advocates, who raise concerns about potential infringements on individual liberties. Furthermore, skeptics question the practical efficacy of such bans, suggesting that their implementation and enforcement may prove challenging in the digital landscape.

Lawyers advising social media platforms operating in Greece must ensure their clients implement robust age verification systems and update their compliance frameworks to meet the new legal requirements by January 1st, or face significant penalties. This also signals a growing trend in European jurisdictions that companies should monitor.

Source: Original reporting via AFP and ANA news agency