Observed Signal · Apr 9, 2026 · Policy Update · Source: onlinemarketing.de · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Greece to Ban Social Media for Under‑15 Users
Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a plan to prohibit access to social media platforms for users under 15 years old starting January 1, 2027. The announcement was posted as a TikTok video. The government will require platforms to implement age‑verification systems and encourages parents to use a government‑backed app called Kids Wallet to block children's accounts. Non‑compliant platforms could face penalties under the EU Digital Services Act. The move follows similar measures or proposals in countries including Australia, Spain, Italy, the UK, Denmark, France and Austria and adds to a growing European debate balancing youth protection, privacy risks from verification, and access to information.
National policy to ban minors from social platforms and require age verification affects platform audiences, user identity/verification practices, and compliance costs for major social platforms across the EU; it contributes to a wider cross‑country trend with potential ad‑audience and regulatory implications.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a social‑media access ban for users under 15, to start on January 1, 2027.
- Mitsotakis announced the measure in a TikTok video.
- Platforms named as affected include YouTube, Instagram and TikTok; governments will require age‑verification systems.
- Parents are encouraged to use a government‑supported app called Kids Wallet to block their children's social accounts.
- Non‑compliance by platforms may trigger penalties under the EU Digital Services Act; Greece previously introduced a school phone ban in 2024.
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Countries Move to Restrict Children's Social Media Access
Multiple countries across Europe, Asia and Oceania are proposing or enacting laws to ban children and teens from major social media platforms, citing harms such as cyberbullying, addiction and mental-health risks. Australia was the first to implement a nationwide ban for under‑16s in December 2025 and requires platforms to use verification methods or face fines. Other governments — including Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey and the UK — have proposed or passed measures with age thresholds ranging from 14 to 16 and varying timelines. Critics warn about privacy risks from invasive age‑verification and question effectiveness. The policy push will affect social platforms, compliance obligations (age verification), and advertiser reach and targeting strategies on walled gardens.
Countries Crack Down on Kids' Social Media Access
Several countries have recently proposed or enacted laws restricting social media access for children and teens, citing risks such as cyberbullying, addiction and mental-health harms. Australia implemented the first nationwide ban in December 2025, prohibiting users under 16 from accessing many major platforms and imposing penalties of up to 49.5 million AUD for noncompliance. Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Malaysia, Slovenia, Spain and the UK are at various stages of proposing or advancing similar age-based restrictions (typically targeting under-15 or under-16 users). Measures under discussion include mandatory age verification tools, government-backed digital evidence apps, and potential platform accountability for harmful content. Critics, including Amnesty Tech, warn about privacy risks from invasive verification and question the bans’ effectiveness.
Multiple countries move to ban social media for children
Multiple countries have proposed or enacted laws to restrict children’s access to mainstream social media platforms, citing harms such as cyberbullying, addiction and predator exposure. Australia became the first to implement a nationwide ban for under-16s in December 2025, requiring platforms to use age verification and exposing noncompliant companies to penalties. Other governments — including Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Malaysia, Slovenia, Spain and the UK — are at various stages of proposing, drafting or approving similar age-based restrictions (thresholds typically 15–16). Proposals raise privacy and enforcement concerns around invasive age verification, government intervention and effectiveness, while advocacy groups like Amnesty Tech have criticized the measures. Several countries named specific platforms that would be blocked or targeted by the rules.
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