Greece is preparing to overhaul children's digital access by 2027, aligning with a broader European push for minor safety online. The Greek government is legislating a 15-year age threshold for social media platforms, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. This initiative places the burden of age verification directly on the service providers.

The Greek Framework and Verification Methods

Under the new rules, children under 15 will be restricted from social networking services. For implementation purposes, age will be determined by birth year; for example, those born in 2012 will be considered 15-year-olds during the 2027 calendar year.

Platforms must adopt reliable and proportionate verification systems that prioritize data minimization. While tools like the Gov.gr Wallet and Kids.gov.gr Wallet are recommended, they are not the exclusive means of verification. Companies may utilize alternative solutions provided they meet European technical standards and legal requirements.

The EU KIDS Act: A Comprehensive Approach

The European Commission's EU KIDS Act, proposed in September 2026, extends far beyond social media to include app stores, online gaming, and AI chatbots. The proposal outlines a tiered access system:

  • Under 13: A general ban on social media accounts, with exceptions for parent-managed, child-appropriate services.
  • Ages 13 to 15: The introduction of "mini accounts" featuring a 60-minute daily time limit and enhanced privacy controls.
  • Ages 15 and up: The right to manage an autonomous digital presence.

Curbing Addictive Design and AI Risks

The EU proposal targets features designed to maximize engagement, such as infinite scroll and reward mechanisms. It also seeks to ban push notifications during late-night hours and mandates that profiles for minors be private by default. Furthermore, AI companions and chatbots must be designed to avoid fostering emotional dependency in children.

Enforcement will be rigorous, with the EU KIDS Act proposing fines of up to 6% of a provider's total global annual turnover for non-compliance. While the Greek regulation focuses on social media access starting in 2027, the EU KIDS Act remains in the legislative process to establish a unified code for the entire digital ecosystem.