A growing international push to limit children’s access to social media platforms is accelerating, and Greece appears poised to join the movement. After regulatory action in Australia, new legislation in France, and tighter frameworks under discussion in Spain, Portugal, and other European countries, Greek authorities are reportedly close to announcing comparable measures.
According to Reuters, citing a senior government source, Athens is preparing policy steps that would introduce age-based access limits for social platforms, placing Greece among the expanding group of countries pursuing stricter digital safeguards for children.
Greece signals social media age threshold review
As early as September, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis publicly confirmed that the government is evaluating a potential ban on social media use for children under the age of 16. The proposal follows the Australian model, which supporters say is already delivering measurable results.
Beyond social media platforms, the Greek government is also assessing how minors interact with AI chatbots and conversational systems, showing that the policy scope extends to newer forms of digital engagement, not only traditional social networks.
Emphasis on shared responsibility and parental support
In remarks at an international event hosted by Australia titled Protecting Children in the Digital Age, the Greek prime minister stressed that online protection should not rest solely with parents. He noted that enforcement at home can be especially difficult, particularly for single parents, when children face constant peer pressure to stay connected.
The policy approach under discussion combines regulation with support mechanisms, aiming to reduce pressure on families while establishing enforceable standards for platforms.
School phone ban and national age verification tools
Greek authorities have already introduced a nationwide ban on mobile phone use in schools, a move officials say has had a positive impact on classroom conditions and learning outcomes.
To address one of the most common objections raised by technology companies, reliable age verification, Greece has launched a state-backed digital solution through the government portal parco.gov.gr. The system connects with national digital registries and allows parents to verify a child’s age when purchasing a first smartphone.
The same platform also provides user-friendly parental control tools to help families manage and monitor social media use. It forms part of a broader child digital safety framework now moving toward tighter regulation.