Papastergiou: Platforms Could Have Prevented the Social Media Ban

Greece is pressing ahead with legislation that would bar children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms, with a formal rollout set for the start of 2027. Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou discussed the details of the policy in an interview this week, shedding light on how the government plans to implement it and the obstacles that could stand in the way.

Speaking on the Greek TV channel MEGA, Papastergiou confirmed that the draft bill has already been submitted to the European Union for a compatibility review with existing EU law, a required procedural step for legislation of this kind. He expects it to clear the Greek Parliament before the summer recess. “Before the summer, the bill passes,” Papastergiou said. “We start on Jan. 1, 2027.”

The delayed implementation date is intentional. Authorities plan to use the intervening months, beginning in September, to inform and educate parents about what the new rules will mean in practice and why their participation will be critical to making the law work.