The Greek government is preparing a plan to ban social media use for under-15s, using an existing parental-control app designed to block tobacco and alcohol sales to minors. However, legal and practical loopholes are already casting doubt on enforcement.
The plan had been expected for this week but has been postponed until early March, a source close to the talks said. Three ministries are involved – Justice, Digital Governance and Health – while Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is personally overseeing the initiative.
The Greek PM has taken the lead on the file aiming for a cross-party consensus, politically useful for him ahead of the upcoming revision of the country’s constitution, Euractiv understands.
How it would work
Unlike Portugal’s plan, the Greek social media ban would apply to children universally, with no parental opt-out.
Age checks would rely on the existing “Kids Wallet” parental-control app, already used to block minors from buying tobacco and alcohol. Installed on the devices of both parents and children, the app generates a barcode verifying whether a user falls below a set age threshold.
The system is already in operation in Greece to prevent minors from purchasing tobacco and alcohol products. Retailers scan each individual barcode to confirm age eligibility.
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A similar system would apply to social media access via mobile devices, while a government portal would guide parents on desktop controls. Non-compliance could trigger fines, with platforms required to integrate Kids Wallet verification into registration processes.
The challenges
Industry sources warn that banning social media for under-15s while leaving other online services – including pornography, gaming and gambling – untouched could create legal and political complications.
The Greek government has indicated that broader online safeguards will follow, but key questions remain over enforcement and judicial scrutiny, particularly if parents challenge the measure on free-speech grounds.
Compliance may also prove difficult: use of the Kids Wallet app is not mandatory, and critics note children have already bypassed age checks by sharing screenshots of parental barcodes.
‘Powerless’ parents
Parents feel “incapable and powerless” to set social media boundaries for their children – from a very young age through to adolescence – regarding exposure to social media, clinical psychologist Maribelle Vogopoulou told Euractiv.
“This is a common concern expressed by society, parents and educators alike, and one we frequently encounter. This trend appears unlikely to abate unless a legal framework is introduced,” she said.
Vogopoulou added that parents report to psychologists declining concentration, poor information retention and weaker academic performance. They also cite rising aggression, sleep disruption and difficulties in social interaction.
The article was updted with precision regarding the plan’s timeline.
(cs, nl)