Greece’s parliament passed a law on Friday banning children under 15 from using social media. The country has joined a growing list of nations seeking to restrict young people’s access to online platforms.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the proposed ban in April. He used TikTok, one of Greece’s popular social networks among young people, to explain why he considered the measure “difficult but necessary.”

Ruling Party Secures Parliamentary Approval

The bill passed after a heated parliamentary debate that began on Thursday and continued into Friday. According to the ANA news agency, Mitsotakis’s conservative New Democracy party used its parliamentary majority to secure approval.

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However, no other party supported the legislation.

The opposition socialist Pasok party abstained after proposing an alternative bill. Its proposal would have banned social media for children under 13 while requiring parental controls for those aged 13 and 14.

Meanwhile, other left-wing and nationalist parties voted against the measure.

Age Verification and Penalties for Platforms

The new law is scheduled to take effect on January 1. It will require social media companies to verify users’ ages and impose severe penalties on companies that fail to comply.

The legislation aims to limit children’s exposure to social media at a young age. However, its practical impact will depend partly on how effectively platforms enforce age restrictions.

More Countries Consider Social Media Restrictions

Australia became the first country to introduce a comparable nationwide ban last year, barring children under 16 from social media.

According to an Agence France-Presse (AFP) tally, more than 20 countries have passed similar laws.

Supporters argue that social media platforms use addictive algorithms that encourage children to spend excessive time online. They also warn that prolonged scrolling may harm young people’s mental health.

However, the restrictions have attracted criticism from free-speech advocates. In addition, sceptics question whether age-based bans can work effectively and how authorities will enforce them.

As more governments consider restrictions, the debate over children’s online safety, digital rights and parental responsibility continues.