In its latest effort to tackle digital addiction and safeguard minors from the harmful effects of social media, Greece is preparing to introduce sweeping regulations aimed at protecting children under 15.
Greece joins a growing list of nations recognizing the urgent need for action by implementing mandatory age verification and parental control mechanisms. Notably, this move echoes Australia’s groundbreaking legislation prohibiting users under 16 from accessing social media platforms—a model that has garnered international attention.
Australia’s robust approach to regulating social media usage among minors has inspired similar efforts worldwide, including Greece. In July 2024, Australia passed the Online Safety (Basic Online Safety Expectations) Amendment to its existing Online Safety Act. The legislation empowers Australia’s eSafety Commissioner to impose strict rules on social media platforms. These include enforcing stringent age checks to ensure users meet the minimum age of 16 and leveraging advanced technologies such as facial recognition and ID verification for effective verification.
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Children between 13 and 16 can only create accounts with explicit parental approval, ensuring parents remain involved in their children’s online activities. Social media companies are also required to take proactive steps to monitor and reduce exposure to harmful content, such as cyberbullying, harassment, and self-harm materials. Platforms failing to comply risk significant fines of up to AUD 5.6 million per violation.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that these measures aim to address alarming trends of social media addiction and its negative impact on youth mental health.
“Platforms have a responsibility to provide safe products and look after the mental health of young Australians.
“We need to create a strong incentive for compliance and increasing the maximum penalties for online safety breaches to up to $49.5 million brings our penalty framework into line with other laws.
“Keeping children safe – wherever they are – is a collective responsibility, and the Albanese Government is stepping up to play our role,” he said.
Why Greece is Taking Action
Greece’s government has acknowledged Australia’s proactive model as a blueprint for addressing similar challenges within its borders. Like Australia, Greece faces a growing crisis of digital delinquency among minors, with the widespread availability of harmful content exacerbating issues such as bullying, isolation, and mental health disorders.
“Digital addiction and the risks of social media cannot be understated,” said Sofia Zacharaki, Greece’s Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs. “We are taking necessary steps to ensure our children are not trapped in a digital bubble, where isolation and exposure to harmful content become the norm.”
Greece’s planned regulations incorporate several elements inspired by Australia’s approach. Social media platforms operating in Greece will be required to implement advanced age verification systems. A new mechanism integrated into parental control apps will allow parents to block content containing disturbing or harmful keywords. Platforms will also need to adjust algorithms to limit minors’ exposure to violent or explicit content.
Additionally, Greece has already banned mobile phones in schools as part of its September 2024 policy reforms, aiming to reduce screen time and prevent distractions in educational settings.
Public Opinion Favors Action
The majority of Greeks support these initiatives. A recent ALCO poll found that 72% of respondents approved of Australia’s decision to impose age restrictions on social media, with many Greek parents echoing concerns about the negative effects of digital overexposure on their children.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has emphasized the need for EU-wide collaboration to address this issue comprehensively. Discussions are ongoing about establishing a minimum “digital maturity age” of 15 across all European Union member states.
“Digital delinquency is not just a Greek problem; it’s a pan-European and global challenge,” Mitsotakis stated. “We must push for collective action and regulatory frameworks that hold tech companies accountable.”
Despite broad public support, implementing age verification poses significant challenges. As seen in Australia, social media companies have resisted reforms that may limit user growth or compromise data privacy. Greece is likely to encounter similar obstacles as it seeks to balance technological feasibility with robust regulatory oversight.
Australia’s measures have set a high bar for digital safety regulations, prompting other nations to consider similar reforms. France recently enacted legislation barring users under 15 from accessing social media, and the United Kingdom has introduced proposals for stricter online safety standards.
For Greece, following Australia’s example underlines its commitment to safeguarding its youth. Greece hopes to not only address immediate concerns but also contribute to a larger, global conversation about creating safer digital environments for future generations by adopting proven strategies.