Starting this October, Greece will automatically block children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, European Conservative reports. The move is part of a broader effort to protect minors from online content deemed harmful or inappropriate. The Kids Wallet app will restrict access to popular platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and X. It will serve as the enforcement tool for the new regulation.
The restrictions will extend beyond social media. Authorities will also block minors under 18 from accessing sites related to gambling, alcohol, tobacco, pornography, and online dating. Unlike Australia, which requires identity checks for age verification, Greece does not. This simplifies the process while automatically restricting minors.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke at a United Nations event in New York. He described the situation as “the largest uncontrolled experiment on children’s minds,” highlighting the potentially negative effects of unrestricted social media exposure. He expressed strong support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding youth from the psychological impacts of online content.
However, critics warn that such measures could set a precedent. They fear broader government control of the internet under the guise of protecting children. Concerns include the risk of restricting access to general information and limiting freedom of expression. Similar debates are taking place in other European countries, including France and Spain, where policymakers are considering comparable restrictions.
Meanwhile, the European Commission is promoting its Chat Control initiative. The plan would involve scanning private messages on platforms such as Signal and Telegram. Signal and Proton Mail have already warned that they may leave the European market if authorities enforce such measures. UOJ also reported that YouTube recently deleted its channel in Greece. This underscores the rising tensions over online content regulation in the country.
