Greece Sets Landmark Social Media Age Limit to Protect Youth
Athens, Greece - in a move poised to reverberate across the European Union, Greece has enacted legislation imposing strict age restrictions on social media access, aiming to shield young people from online harms. The new law, recently approved by the Greek parliament, mandates age verification for users of major platforms and prohibits those under 16 from creating accounts without parental consent.
The legislation comes amid growing concerns about the impact of social media on adolescent mental health and well-being. Authorities point to a rise in cyberbullying and online addiction as key drivers for the new regulations. A study by the Hellenic Society for Child Protection revealed Greek teenagers spend an average of over four hours daily on social media platforms, frequently late into the night.
The law places critically important pressure on tech giants to rapidly adapt their systems to comply with Greek regulations. Companies including Meta (Facebook, Instagram), ByteDance (TikTok), and Snap Inc. (Snapchat) face potential penalties for non-compliance. A government spokesperson affirmed a commitment to rigorous oversight, stating, “We will not accept empty promises. Anyone who does not protect children will be held responsible.”
Greece is positioning itself as a pioneer within the EU, as other nations – including France, Spain, and Germany – are only beginning to discuss similar, though less definitive, measures. Athens intends to establish a precedent and stimulate a broader European debate on digital responsibility.
though, the law isn’t without its critics. Concerns have been raised about potential “excessive government control” and infringements on “digital self-determination.” Digital Rights Watch Greece expressed fears that mandatory age verification could compromise user data, perhaps placing sensitive information in the hands of private platform operators, and that young people may circumvent the rules using VPNs or false identification.
conversely, parent associations have largely welcomed the legislation, hoping it will “finally putting pressure on platforms” to implement age-appropriate content and robust safety measures.
The implementation of this law represents a bold, albeit controversial, step. It attempts to strike a balance between “Freedom and care,” protecting youth while upholding digital rights.Whether the law achieves its goals – reduced screen time, improved mental health, and healthier online habits – remains to be seen. However, Greece has undeniably ignited a crucial conversation about the influence of social media on young people and issued a challenge to the EU to address the issue proactively.
