Greece to Ban Social Media for Under-16s, Gambling Sites for Under-18s

The measure, announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, will also extend to those under 18 when it comes to accessing online platforms linked to gambling, alcohol, cigarettes, and pornography.

The system will be enforced through a new application called “Kids Wallet,” which will allow parents to activate built-in security protocols on their child’s device. Once these protocols are enabled and the user is identified as under 16, the device itself will automatically block social media platforms and websites featuring adult or restricted content. For those aged 16 to 18, additional blocks will be applied to gambling-related sites and other content deemed inappropriate for minors.

According to officials, the ban will not rely solely on platform policies but on age verification processes integrated directly into the security settings of devices. This approach is designed to make restrictions more difficult to bypass and to ensure consistent enforcement across applications and websites.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis emphasized the need for action, warning of the potential dangers of unregulated exposure to social media: “We are conducting the largest uncontrolled experiment ever with the minds of our children. We do not know what the consequences will be, but we are almost certain that they will not be positive.”

The move aligns with broader EU discussions on age verification and digital safety. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen previously confirmed that France, Spain, Greece, Denmark, and Italy would participate in trials to explore stricter enforcement of age limits on online platforms. Greece, however, appears poised to be the first member state to put such a framework into national law.

The ban also comes amid heightened attention to online gambling in Greece. Earlier this year, the Hellenic Gaming Commission partnered with Mindway AI to roll out a gamified self-assessment tool for individuals to evaluate their gambling behavior voluntarily. The new restrictions build on that momentum, particularly targeting underage users who may be vulnerable to addictive digital activities.

By focusing on device-level control rather than relying on platform compliance, Greece aims to create a more robust model of digital regulation. While the measure has been welcomed by some as a necessary safeguard for young people, it is also expected to spark debate over privacy, enforcement, and the role of the state in regulating online behavior.

If successfully implemented, Greece’s policy could influence wider EU regulation, serving as a test case for balancing child protection with digital freedoms in the modern age.