In brief
In December 2026, Greece’s government met with Meta, TikTok and Microsoft to plan age‑verification. The law, approved in October 2026, will prohibit all users born before January 1 2013 from accessing social media from January 1 2027, with no parental exceptions. Platforms will be held responsible for any breaches, while research shows many children already use social media before age 10.
On Thursday, Greek officials met with Meta, TikTok and Microsoft representatives at a meeting aimed at setting up reliability checks that would enforce a new social‑media ban that is to start on 1 January 2027, according to a BTA report.
The law, approved by Parliament on 23 October, will forbid anyone born before 1 January 2013 from using Greek social‑media services, with no chances for parental approval or other exceptions, the statement said.
According to Kathimerini, the meeting’s goal is “for platforms to design and present reliable age‑verification mechanisms that they will put into effect from January 1.” The platforms have been asked to submit detailed plans by the beginning of December.
Earlier in November, Greek ministers also spoke with TikTok and Microsoft officials, and a meeting with Google representatives is scheduled for Friday, Kathimerini added.
Research cited during the talks found that more than half of students in the first three high‑school grades already use social media at ages 10‑12. One in four reported using it excessively, while one in five said they felt uneasy or distracted when they were denied a mobile phone.
Under the new rule, all children, even those who already hold accounts, will be barred from using social‑media platforms. Platforms will be held accountable for any violations, not the children or their parents, Greek officials said.
The ban is part of a growing global move to limit children’s exposure to online content, amid concerns over privacy, mental health and cyber‑bullying.
While the government stresses the need to protect younger users, critics worry about the practicality of enforcing age verification and the potential loss of social‑media opportunities for youth worldwide.
