Greece has approved a new law banning children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, marking a significant step in efforts to protect young people from potential online harms. The Greek Parliament passed the bill on Friday, October 23, 2026, amid growing concerns about the effects of social media on children’s health and safety.

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The ban is scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2027. The move places Greece among European countries exploring stricter measures to regulate minors’ access to social networking platforms.

Concerns about children’s social media use have grown in recent years, with debates focusing on online safety, exposure to harmful content and the potential impact of excessive screen time on young people’s well-being. Governments are increasingly considering age restrictions and stronger safeguards to address these issues.

Greece is also among seven European Union countries seeking an age-verification solution in cooperation with the European Commission. Such efforts aim to improve the ability of digital platforms to determine users’ ages and enforce restrictions designed to protect minors.

The legislation could add to the wider European debate over how best to balance children’s online safety with access to digital communication and information. Effective implementation will be important, particularly when it comes to verifying users’ ages and ensuring that restrictions are followed across different platforms.

With the January 2027 start date approaching, attention will turn to how Greece implements the ban and how social media companies respond to the new requirements.

The decision could also influence discussions in other countries considering tougher rules for children’s online activity, although future policy changes elsewhere remain uncertain.