Greece’s Parliament has approved a bill that would bar children younger than 15 from covered social networking services beginning Jan. 1, 2027, assigning age checks to providers while publication in the Government Gazette remains pending.
The Hellenic Parliament’s register dates passage to Oct. 23, 2026, and lists Gazette publication as pending. The Greek Health Ministry says providers must verify ages with methods that are appropriate, proportionate and reliable. It says data collection should be limited to what verification requires, and names Kids Wallet and Gov.gr Wallet as examples rather than exclusive systems. The ministry’s summary describes online social networking services without naming specific platforms. The Parliament’s detailed entry also says the posted bill text is not final because editorial corrections remain. Providers may choose a verification method that meets the ministry’s stated standards. Reuters reported that providers had 2.5 months to devise privacy-preserving checks.
The ministry cites concerns including disrupted sleep, difficulty concentrating and exposure to unsuitable content. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has argued that addictive scrolling harms young people’s mental health and that platforms’ business models capture and monetize users’ attention. Government materials present children and parents as intended beneficiaries, while providers carry the compliance obligation.
ERT reported that governing New Democracy supported the bill. PASOK abstained, while the other opposition parties voted against it. The Greek Health Ministry says the national measure is separate from the proposed EU “Kids Act.”
Australian government guidance says many social media platforms have faced account restrictions for users younger than 16 since Dec. 10, 2025. EconoTimes previously reported on Australia’s under-16 account rules. Greece’s bill is scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 2027, with publication in the Gazette still pending.
