In a significant shift for the digital safety of minors, the Greek government is advancing legislation to establish a minimum age of 15 for accessing social media. The measure, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, aims to mitigate risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and the addictive design mechanisms of digital platforms.
Timeline and Implementation
According to the draft law, starting in 2027, the restriction will apply to children born in 2013 and later. For the purposes of this regulation, January 1st will be considered the uniform birth date for everyone born within the same calendar year. Notably, the Greek plan does not provide for parental consent exceptions for those under 15, nor does it allow the maintenance of existing accounts if the age threshold is not met.
Age Verification and Privacy
One of the most complex aspects is the verification process. The government advocates for the use of "zero-knowledge proof" technology, which allows age confirmation without revealing identity, name, or the exact date of birth to the platform. Tools like the Gov.gr Wallet and the Kids Wallet are cited as primary examples. Crucially, the legal responsibility for enforcement lies with the service providers rather than parents or children.
European Context and Penalties
The Greek initiative runs parallel to the proposed EU KIDS Act, which is still under legislative development at the European level. Oversight will be managed through the Digital Services Act (DSA) framework, involving the National Council for Radio and Television (ESR), the Data Protection Authority, and the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT). Platforms failing to comply could face fines of up to 6% of their global annual turnover.
