Greece’s Parliament has adopted the bill banning the use of social networks by persons under the age of 15. The new law will go into effect on 1 January 2027 and force digital platforms to verify the age of users, with strict sanctions for violations.
The initiative was approved Friday with parliamentary majority votes from the ruling New Democracy party, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Other parties did not support the bill, following a tense debate that had started the day before.
Mitsotakis had warned plans to limit the access of minors to social networks since April. In a video published in TikTok, the Greek prime minister described the move as difficult but necessary.
The government aims to protect children from the negative effects of social networks and limit their exposure to potentially harmful Internet content.
The opposition Socialist Party PASOK abstained in the vote after proposing a more limited option. It called for stopping social networks for children under 13 years of age, while for ages 13 and 14 it proposed parental controls.
With this decision, Greece joins countries that are taking measures to limit the use of social networks by minors. Australia, France, Brazil, Indonesia, Austria, Denmark, and the United Kingdom are among the states that have adopted or are preparing similar measures.
Restrictors argue that platform algorithms are designed to keep users as long as possible before the screen, and that excessive use can negatively affect the mental health of children and teenagers.
On the other hand, opponents question the practical application of bans, their effectiveness, and the possibility of minors bypassing restrictions.
The law is expected to go into effect on 1 January 2017, placing Greece among countries seeking to strengthen the protection of children in the digital environment.
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Source Layer: Signal