Greece’s Parliament has passed a new law to prevent children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms. The decision was announced on Friday, October 23, 2026, amid growing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s health, safety and daily lives.
The government believes that spending too much time on social media can affect children’s sleep, concentration and relationships with family and friends. The new law aims to protect young people from these problems and encourage them to spend more time on studies, outdoor activities and face-to-face interactions.
Government Raises Concerns About Children’s Online Safety
The Greek government has expressed concern about the growing use of social media among children. Officials say that spending long hours online can affect young people’s mental well-being and make it difficult for them to focus on schoolwork.
Excessive social media use can also reduce sleeping time and limit opportunities for children to spend time with friends and family in person. The government wants to address these concerns by introducing stronger rules for young users.
The new law is also expected to support parents who are trying to control their children’s screen time and protect them from harmful online content.
Social Media Companies Asked to Check Users’ Ages
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has given social media companies two and a half months to find ways to check users’ ages and protect their personal information.
Age verification is an important part of the new rules because the government wants platforms to identify users who are below the permitted age. However, these checks must also protect users’ privacy and prevent personal information from being misused.
Social media companies may need to improve their systems to make sure children cannot easily bypass the age restrictions. The government is seeking solutions that can protect young users without putting their private information at risk.
Greece Works With Other European Countries
Greece is also working with six other European Union countries to discuss ways to address children’s social media use. The countries are holding discussions with the European Commission to explore a coordinated approach.
The government believes that cooperation between European countries could make it easier to deal with online safety issues. Social media platforms operate across national borders, so different rules in different countries can create challenges for enforcement.
Working together could help European governments develop common approaches to age verification, child protection and the safe use of digital platforms.
Other Countries Introduce Similar Restrictions
Greece’s decision comes as several countries are considering stricter rules for children using social media.
Australia became the first country to introduce a nationwide law restricting social media access for younger users in 2025. The move attracted international attention and encouraged discussions about whether similar measures should be introduced elsewhere.
France has also considered restrictions on children’s social media use. However, a similar law was cancelled by France’s Constitutional Council in August, according to the information provided.
These developments show that governments are facing increasing pressure to find ways to protect children online while also considering privacy, freedom of expression and the practical challenges of enforcing age limits.
Parents Welcome Support for Limiting Screen Time
The Greek government says the new law is intended to support parents who are concerned about their children spending too much time online.
Many parents find it difficult to control screen time because social media has become a regular part of young people’s daily lives. Children may use these platforms to communicate with friends, watch videos, follow trends and share content.
However, the government argues that excessive use can interfere with sleep, studies and personal relationships. Officials want families to have more support in setting healthy limits on children’s use of digital devices.
The new restrictions are expected to encourage discussions between parents and children about responsible internet use and online safety.
Questions Remain About Implementation
Although the law has been passed, putting it into practice will require cooperation between the government and social media companies. Platforms will need to find reliable ways to identify underage users while keeping personal information secure.
There may also be questions about how the rules will be enforced and how children might try to get around them. The government will need to ensure that the restrictions work effectively without creating unnecessary privacy risks.
The discussions with other European countries and the European Commission may help Greece address some of these challenges.
Greece Focuses on Protecting Young People
Greece’s new law marks another step in the international debate over children’s use of social media. The government says its main goal is to protect young people from the possible harmful effects of spending too much time online.
By restricting access for children under 15 and asking platforms to strengthen age checks, Greece hopes to encourage healthier digital habits.
The success of the law will depend on how effectively it is enforced, how well companies protect users’ information and whether the restrictions help improve children’s well-being.