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Greece passes social media ban for children under 15

By Thomson Reuters Oct 23, 2026 | 1:17 AM

ATHENS, Oct 23 (Reuters) – Greece’s parliament approved a bill on Friday that bans the ​use of social media platforms ‌for children under 15 amid growing concerns over their impact on the health and safety of minors.

• ‌The ​ban comes into ⁠force on January ⁠1, 2027

• Australia was the first country to pass legislation to curb the use of ​social media by minors, doing so last year. A similar ⁠law passed in ⁠France was struck down ​by the country’s Constitutional Council ​in August

• Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos ‌Mitsotakis said social media platforms have 2-1/2 months to devise a way to verify users’ ⁠ages and protect their privacy

• Greece is among seven European Union countries ⁠seeking an ‌age verification solution ⁠with the European Commission

• ​Greece ‌says it is standing by ​parents ⁠to help curb the “endless scrolling” that deprives children of sleep, concentration and time with their friends

(Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by ​Tom Hogue)