Greece mandates state apps to keep under-15s off TikTok and Instagram

Greece has enacted one of the first legal frameworks in the European Union to restrict social media access for minors. The measure will take effect on January 1, 2027, following a parliamentary vote that cleared the bill with support from the governing majority.

The legislation targets major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. These services must implement age-verification systems that are reliable and proportionate. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the bill as "difficult but necessary." His government had signaled its intent to act earlier this year, bypassing a wait for coordinated EU regulations.

Digital governance and AI minister Dimitris Papastergiou defended the unilateral approach. He stated that waiting for a perfect European law would have meant doing nothing. Papastergiou noted that children are sinking into the internet daily and that a responsible government must act. He explained that the state-backed apps, known as Kids Wallet or Gov.gr, are designed to protect privacy. These tools use "age tokens" to confirm a user's age while collecting minimal personal data.

Parents will be required to download these state apps and pair them with their children's devices. The software blocks access to the designated services. Companies that fail to comply with the new verification standards face fines under the EU's Digital Services Act. Minority parties in parliament opposed the measure, but the government secured passage through its majority.

Greece already prohibited mobile phones in schools in 2024. Opinion polls suggest the new restriction enjoys broad support among Greek adults. Mitsotakis stated that his government aims to push the EU in the same direction. The European Commission recently introduced the EU Kids Act, which targets an outright ban only for children under 13.

Australia was the first country to enact a full social media ban for children. However, implementing age verification there has proven difficult. Greece will now attempt to address these challenges through its mandatory state app system.

The law sets a specific start date of January 1, 2027, for the restrictions to begin. Parents must ensure their devices are linked to the required software by that deadline.