Social Media: Greece wants to block under-15s digitally

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A digital bombshell is looming in Greek politics, which is likely to attract attention far beyond the borders of the Mediterranean state. The government under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is currently preparing a law that would ban the use of social media for children and adolescents under 15 years of age nationwide; in Greece, criminal responsibility begins upon reaching the age of 15.

This means Athens is taking a significantly more restrictive course than, for example, Portugal, where parents can decide on an activation. In Greece, the ban is to apply universally: a state-mandated digital protection space is to be created, leaving no room for parental discretion.

Behind the scenes, the Ministries of Justice, Digital Administration, and Health are working under high pressure on the legal framework, according to Euractiv. The presentation of the draft was originally planned for this week. However, it is now reported from government circles that the date has been postponed to early March.

Mitsotakis himself has declared the dossier a top priority, according to the report. For the conservative, it is not just about youth protection, but also about strategic political calculation: he is aiming for cross-party consensus, which should strengthen his position with regard to an upcoming constitutional reform.

Kids Wallet as a Digital Barrier

The technical core of the prohibition strategy is an existing solution: the Kids Wallet. This app is already used in Greece to prevent the sale of tobacco and alcohol to minors. The system works by linking the devices of parents and children. The app generates a barcode that verifies age without revealing too much personal data. What happens in stationary retail by scanning at the checkout is now to be transferred to the digital world. Platform operators would have to integrate the verification via the digital wallet directly into their registration processes. Those who do not comply face hefty fines.

Despite the existing technological basis, the project faces hurdles. Industry representatives point out that an isolated ban on social networks could lead to legal inconsistencies. Even if Instagram, TikTok, Facebook & Co. were blocked for under-15s, other problematic areas of the internet such as pornography, online gambling, or violent gaming platforms would initially remain unaddressed.

Opponents of the initiative argue that this unequal treatment would be unlikely to stand up in court. Lawsuits from the industry are to be expected. Furthermore, resistance is forming among lawyers: they are examining whether such a far-reaching ban disproportionately restricts the freedom of expression of young people.

Between Ban and Circumvention

Another problem is practical enforceability. Since the use of the Kids Wallet is currently voluntary, it remains unclear how the state could enforce widespread installation. Moreover, young people are known for their ingenuity: observers are already reporting simple circumvention strategies, such as sharing screenshots of barcodes of older adolescents or parents with each other to bypass age controls. Without watertight biometric coupling or an ID requirement, the digital prohibition sign could quickly become a paper tiger.

Despite these doubts, the government is also receiving support. Psychologist Maribelle Vogopoulou emphasized to Euractiv that many parents feel powerless and overwhelmed by the digital dynamics. The negative effects of unbridled social media consumption have long been a daily reality in practices. Reports include declining concentration, poorer academic performance, and an increase in aggression and sleep disorders. Without a clear legal framework, these phenomena can hardly be stopped.

German Debate is Similar

The restrictive course is also finding imitators in Germany. At its recent federal party conference in Stuttgart, the CDU decided that the federal government should introduce a legal age limit of 14 years for the use of social networks. Under the motto "responsible digital growing up," the concept provides for children under 14 to be completely excluded, while for 14- to 16-year-olds, special, restricted youth versions of the services must be provided. Only for older individuals should access be unrestricted.

There is now rare agreement between the major popular parties in this country. The SPD has also abandoned its original rejection. A discussion paper from the Social Democrats envisages almost identical age gradations. For technical implementation, the SPD relies on the EUDI Wallet. But here too, resistance is brewing: tech associations, children's and civil rights advocates doubt the effectiveness of such a ban. A study for the EU Parliament has also poured cold water on the regulators' plans. The researchers concluded that age verification across the board is hardly legally sound and practically feasible in a liberal democracy.

(csp)