In brief
Greek lawmakers approved a ban that bars every user born before 1 January 2013 from accessing social‑media services from 1 January 2027. The government is pressing major platforms – Meta, TikTok, Microsoft, and soon Google – to develop reliable age‑verification mechanisms by December. The law, founded on research showing early and excessive use by children, carries no parental exemptions and holds the platforms accountable for violations.
Athens, 12 November 2026 – Greek officials met with representatives from Meta Platforms, TikTok, Microsoft and Google to review age‑verification methods ahead of a new ban that will forbid every child born before 1 January 2013 from using any social‑media service beginning 1 January 2027.
The legislation, approved by Parliament on 23 October 2026, states that no citizen under 15 will be allowed to register or log in to Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, Threads, TikTok or any other platform. The bill caps the rights for the entire cohort of users born in 2013 or earlier, including those who already hold accounts.
In a government statement, Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence Minister Dimitris Papastergiou and State Minister Akis Skertsos said that platforms are expected to present a concrete plan for age verification by the start of December.
"The aim is for platforms to design and present reliable age verification mechanisms that they will put into effect from January 1,"the statement added.
Earlier in November, Greek officials held meetings with TikTok and Microsoft executives. A Thursday session with Meta officials covered the scope of the ban and the needed safeguards. A separate meeting with Google officials is scheduled for Friday, according to Kathimerini as cited by BTA.
Government officials cited recent research that more than half of students in their first three high‑school grades had begun using social media between the ages of ten and twelve. The same study found that one in four of those students considered their use excessive, and one in five felt embarrassed, insecure or distracted when denied access to a mobile phone.
Under the new law, platforms will bear responsibility for any breaches; children and their parents are absolved. The ban applies equally to all persons born in Greece who turn 15 in 2027, with no parental approval exemptions. If a platform fails to implement the required verification, it could be held liable.
Both the Greek government and the involved tech companies have said they are working toward a shared solution that balances child protection with access to digital services. The outcome will set a precedent for other European states considering similar restrictions.
