Athens: Greece's parliament passed a law on Friday banning children under 15 from social media, making it the first European Union country to impose such a ban.
After a heated debate that began on Thursday and stretched into Friday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's party used its majority to pass the bill. The law takes effect on January 1, 2027. It will require age verification on social networks and impose penalties if companies fail to comply.
No other party backed the bill. The opposition socialist Pasok party abstained after seeking an alternative bill that would have banned social media for under-13s and put parental controls in place for 13- and 14-year-olds. Other left-wing and nationalist parties voted against.
Greece will use a Kids Wallet app for verification. Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence Minister Dimitris Papastergiou said the app does not store a child's date of birth, only the information of whether the user is above or below 15.
State Minister Akis Skertsos said, "We must govern technology so as to secure more room for children to grow up freely." Relying solely on parental supervision creates inequality, he said, adding that every child deserves a common level of protection.
Australia last year became the first country to introduce such a ban, barring under-16s. More than 20 countries have passed similar laws, according to one tally.
Critics say social networks use addictive algorithms that keep children glued to screens and warn that excessive scrolling can damage their mental health. Free-speech advocates have pushed back on bans, and sceptics question how well they will work.