During the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), the Minister of Digital Governance and AI, Dimitris Papastergiou, outlined the government's strategy for protecting minors online. The cornerstone of this initiative is the exclusion of children under 15 from social media platforms, a measure PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis described as the "best solution."
Kids Wallet: A Verification Tool
Minister Papastergiou criticized major digital platforms for their dilatory tactics in implementing safety measures. In response, Greece is promoting Kids Wallet, a national technological solution for reliable age verification. This tool aims to address the excuse often used by platforms that they lack the means to accurately identify a user's age.
European Initiative and 'Digital Adulthood'
The Greek government is pushing for a pan-European discussion, proposing a common "digital adulthood" threshold and uniform rules across the EU. The Minister emphasized that children's mental health takes precedence over corporate interests, noting that the legislative process (via TRIS) is nearing completion.
Scientific and Institutional Perspectives
During the panel, Professor Ioannis Pitas highlighted the dangers of "psychological engineering" employed by platforms, which can lead to addiction and cognitive disorders. Additionally, the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) stressed the importance of safe service design and close cooperation between national authorities to ensure rules are effectively enforced.
