A new landscape is taking shape for minors' access to the digital world, as a Greek draft law sets the basic age limit for social media use at 15 years. The relevant provisions are expected to come into effect on January 1, 2027, bringing significant changes to how teenagers interact with online platforms.
Age Verification and Control Methods
According to the draft law, the responsibility for age verification lies with the service providers. They must utilize reliable and proportional solutions that protect privacy and minimize data collection. While no specific application is mandated, the Kids.gov.gr Wallet and Gov.gr Wallet are cited as appropriate examples compatible with European standards. Notably, for the purposes of this regulation, all children born in the same calendar year are considered to have reached the age limit on January 1st.
The European Framework: EU KIDS Act
Alongside the Greek regulation, the EU KIDS Act is currently being drafted—a European regulation proposal with a broader scope. While the Greek measure focuses specifically on social media, the European proposal covers:
- Video-sharing platforms
- Online games
- App stores
- AI conversational assistants (AI companions)
The European proposal prohibits creating an account in a child's name under the age of 13. For those aged 13 to under 15, it allows for special, limited accounts created by a parent, featuring mandatory control tools and a daily usage limit of up to one hour.
Provider Responsibilities
Primary responsibility for implementing these rules remains with the providers themselves. Very large platforms will face additional compliance obligations, such as submitting compliance plans to the European Commission and undergoing independent audits at their own expense. Parents and app stores will play a supportive role, but they do not replace the platform's responsibility to ensure rules are followed.
