Greece has announced a groundbreaking new rule that will prohibit all children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms, effective from January 1, 2027. This decisive measure, confirmed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on April 8, 2026, is designed to safeguard children's mental health and will be enforced regardless of parental consent.
Mental Health Concerns Drive the Ban
Prime Minister Mitsotakis cited "unambiguous" evidence linking addictive screen time and social media algorithms to increased anxiety and sleep deprivation among young people. Data from the Greek Safer Internet Centre in Athens reveals that a staggering 75% of children currently using social media in Greece are of primary-school age, highlighting the urgency of the issue.
In a video posted on TikTok, Mitsotakis stated, "We have decided to go ahead with a difficult but necessary measure: ban access to social media for children under 15 years old. Greece is among the first countries in the world to adopt such a measure." He further emphasized his intention to pressure the European Union to implement similar restrictions across the bloc.
Enforcement Through the 'Kids Wallet' App
The Greek government plans to enforce this ban using its existing 'Kids Wallet' application, which is already utilized for age verification in alcohol and tobacco purchases. This app will filter and block social media access directly at the device level, representing a 'source-based' approach that differs from methods relying on platforms to police themselves.
Parents will be required to activate the Kids Wallet app on all of their child's devices to implement the system-level block. Greek officials believe this state-mandated, device-level strategy will effectively counteract circumvention methods, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), ensuring robust compliance.
International Context and UK Considerations
Greece joins a growing list of nations implementing strict age-based digital restrictions, including Australia, which enforced an under-16 ban in December 2025, and Indonesia. Following the announcement, Mitsotakis wrote to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, advocating for a common EU-wide "Digital Age of Majority" set at 15.
Meanwhile, the UK government has initiated discussions about potentially banning under-16s from social media, with Ireland and Denmark also considering similar actions. Last month, the House of Lords supported a proposal to prohibit under-16s from using social media platforms in the UK, adding momentum to the debate.
Contrasting Enforcement Models
While both Greece and Australia share the goal of protecting children's mental health, their enforcement methods differ significantly. Australia's platform-based model places the onus on social media companies like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to identify and remove underage accounts. However, since its launch, this approach has faced challenges, with the eSafety Commissioner reporting "significant concerns" about platforms that allow children to bypass checks or offer inadequate reporting tools for parents.
Australia's ban targets ten major "high-risk" social networks but largely exempts educational and messaging services such as Google Classroom and WhatsApp. In contrast, the Greek proposal is part of a broader framework that also restricts minors from online gambling, dating apps, and tobacco and alcohol sales, showcasing a more comprehensive digital safety strategy.
UK Legislative Developments
The UK government is actively considering an outright ban on social media for children under 16 through a high-profile national consultation and legislative debate. A three-month government consultation on "digital wellbeing" is currently open, seeking public views on restrictions like overnight curfews and "app caps," and is scheduled to close on May 26, 2026.
In the legislative arena, the House of Lords has twice defeated the government by adding an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would mandate a social media ban for under-16s. The House of Commons previously rejected this measure in March 2026, with the bill set to return to the Commons on April 15, 2026, indicating ongoing political tensions over the issue.
As Greece moves forward with its pioneering ban, the global conversation around children's digital safety intensifies, with the UK and other nations closely monitoring outcomes to inform their own policymaking.
