The Greece social media ban is now law. Parliament voted it through on the night of October 22, 2026, and kids under 15 lose access to platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook from January 1, 2027. Existing accounts are not exempt, and parents can’t sign off on an exception.
Here’s what the law actually says, how age checks will work, and what you can do before the deadline.
These are the facts worth knowing first.
- Passed by Greek Parliament on October 22–23, 2026, after a debate of more than 16 hours.
- Takes effect on January 1, 2027.
- Covers social networks where users create profiles, post and interact, such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
- Age checks can use the government’s Kids Wallet app.
- No new fines for children or parents. Platforms carry the main responsibility.
If you only read one thing, make it that last point. This law is aimed at the apps, not at your kid’s phone.
What the Greece social media ban actually covers
The rule applies to online services built around profiles, posts, comments and interaction between users. Coverage depends on how a service works, not on its name, according to The Next Web.
Ordinary personal messaging apps are not automatically included, per Athens News. General internet use, school websites and e-government services stay open to under-15s.
The table below sums up the main points.
| Topic | What the law means |
|---|---|
| Age limit | Under 15 cannot use covered social networks |
| Start date | January 1, 2027 |
| Existing accounts | Not exempt; they must also pass age verification |
| Parental permission | Parents cannot grant an exception |
| Penalties for families | No new fines for children or parents |
Why it matters: Greece is putting the legal burden on companies, which is a different approach from rules that punish families.
How Kids Wallet age checks will work
Platforms must work out a user’s age with reliable methods. If a service can’t tell, it shows a QR code linked to Kids Wallet, a government app, according to The Next Web.
The app tells the platform only whether the user is over or under 15. It doesn’t pass on a name or birth date. Greece’s minister said the government won’t hand platforms “any of our children’s personal data.”
Kids Wallet and Gov.gr Wallet are the tools named so far, but other methods that meet the requirements are allowed too. If you’ve seen similar QR-style checks elsewhere, like in our look at Spotify’s family plan verification, this will feel familiar.
Who enforces the social media age limit
Greece’s broadcasting council and its data protection authority oversee platforms operating in the country. For the biggest services, the European Commission enforces the rules under the Digital Services Act.
That matters because Instagram, TikTok and Facebook are all large platforms. Expect Brussels to have a say in how strict the checks get.
The law text as reported doesn’t give specific fine amounts, so don’t trust any headline that quotes one. This is part of a wider push to regulate apps, much like India’s SIM binding rule for WhatsApp.
What parents can do before January 1
Nothing forces you to act today, and accounts won’t all be deleted overnight on January 1. Still, a little prep avoids a surprise lockout for your child.
Authorities suggest a few simple steps.
- Check which social apps are installed on your child’s phone.
- Confirm the birth date saved on each account is correct.
- Set up parental controls and Kids Wallet when it’s available to you.
- Never upload ID photos to unofficial “age verification” sites. They’re a favorite scam trick.
Why it matters: a fake verification page can leak your family’s documents, which is worse than losing an Instagram account.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Greece social media ban start?
It starts on January 1, 2027. Parliament approved the law on October 22–23, 2026.
Which apps does the ban cover?
Social networks where people make profiles, post and interact, such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Coverage depends on what a service does, and plain messaging apps aren’t automatically included.
Can parents allow their child to use social media?
No. Parents can’t grant permission for under-15s to use the covered platforms.
Will parents be fined if their child has an account?
The law doesn’t add new fines for children or parents. Platforms carry the main responsibility.
Does the ban affect tourists or families outside Greece?
It applies to platforms operating in Greece, so it’s aimed at users there. None of the sources we checked describe rules for visitors, so check with your platform if you’re traveling with a teenager.
Our take
The strongest part of this law is the privacy-first age check, since a yes/no answer from a government app beats handing your child’s ID to a social network. The weak spot is enforcement, because teens are good at getting around rules. If you have a child under 15, talk to them now about what changes in January, and treat any site asking for ID photos as a red flag.
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