Starting October 2025, access to social media platforms will be automatically blocked for children under 16 in Greece. The Mediterranean country is set to become the first European Union member state to ban social media access for minors starting in late October.
Australia is the first country to have introduced such sweeping restrictions. From October 10th, the government will ban access to social media and online dating platforms for those under 16, a measure described as a safeguard against algorithmic manipulation and online sexual exploitation. Australia’s model requires identity checks, a method criticized by many organizations as an invasion of privacy.
Greece’s enforcement method will differ. The measure will be implemented through a mobile application called Kids Wallet, which doesn’t require age verification at all times, but blocks the device from accessing popular platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and X on devices registered to underage users. Beyond social media, the ban will extend to gambling, tobacco, alcohol, pornography, and dating platforms for users under 18.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has been vocal in supporting such restrictions. Mitsotakis raised the issue at the recent UN event in New York, warning that the world is carrying out “the largest uncontrolled experiment on children’s minds” through unchecked social media exposure. While the long-term effects remain uncertain, he cautioned they are unlikely to be positive.
The tide of measures sweeping across the EU under the banner of child protection raises questions. As France and Spain are among the leaders of such initiatives, many question whether this is really about protecting the youth from harmful sites or limiting their access to information.
In fact, software blocking certain online websites is a delicate balancing act between protection from actual harm and controlling a narrative by for example blocking sites containing conservative ideas and opinions or religious views. As the youth vote shifts to the right across Europe, leftist-led countries may be trying to sway back the youth in their favor. Brussels is also moving forward with other controversial measures, among them ‘Chat Control’—a proposal to scan all messages on encrypted platforms such as Signal and Telegram. Both Signal and e-mail provider Proton have stated their opposition, saying they will leave the European market if the measure is implemented. The European Commission argues that the technology is needed to combat child pornography and narcotics trafficking. Yet privacy organizations warn it could be expanded to monitor political speech or content deemed to violate ‘hate speech’ laws.
