Greek Families Face Mandatory App Installation to Block Under-15s From Social Media

Greece will require parents to install specific government applications on their children's devices starting January 1, 2027. This new rule blocks access to social media platforms for anyone under the age of 15. The law takes effect in less than three months, making Greece one of the first European Union nations to implement such a strict digital age limit.

The legislation covers major services including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. These companies must implement age-verification methods that are proportionate and reliable. If firms fail to comply with these requirements, they face fines under the EU's Digital Services Act. The measure follows an announcement by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis earlier in 2026.

To enforce the ban, parents must download state-backed apps known as Kids Wallet or Gov.gr. These applications pair with a child's device to restrict access to the covered services. Digital governance and AI minister Dimitris Papastergiou stated that the apps are designed to protect privacy. They use age tokens to verify age while minimizing the amount of personal data collected.

Papastergiou argued that waiting for comprehensive European regulations was not an option. "It would have been very easy to do absolutely nothing today and wait for the perfect European law. But the challenge is here. Children are sinking into the internet every day, and I believe a responsible government must do what it is obliged to do," he said. Mitsotakis described the bill as difficult but necessary for the country.

The Greek parliament passed the measure using the government's majority, as minority parties opposed the legislation. Public opinion appears to support the change, with recent polls showing broad approval among Greek adults. The country had previously banned mobile phones in schools in 2024. This new law extends state oversight into the home digital environment.

Mitsotakis said his government aims to push the European Union toward similar measures. The European Commission recently introduced the EU Kids Act, which proposes an outright ban only for children under 13. Australia remains the first country to enact a full social media ban for children. Greece will now test its state-app model, a method that has faced implementation challenges in other jurisdictions regarding age verification.