Greece's parliament has approved a law restricting children's use of social media, ending a debate that ran from Thursday into Friday.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his conservative New Democracy party used their majority to pass the bill.
No other party voted in favour.
Mitsotakis has led the Greek government since 2019.
He first announced the plan in April and described the measure as “difficult but necessary”.
He used TikTok, one of the most popular platforms among young people in Greece, to explain the decision.
The new law will take effect on January 1, 2027.
It will require social media companies, such as TikTok, to introduce age-verification systems.
These are tools that check a user’s age before they can open or use an account.
Platforms that fail to comply could face significant penalties.
Greece’s parliament has 300 seats, and the debate ended with a clear split between the ruling party and the rest.
Opposition Parties Split Over The Bill
The opposition socialist Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) abstained from the vote.
The party had proposed an alternative plan.
Under it, children under 13 would be banned from social media access.
Users aged 13 and 14 would face parental controls.
Parental controls are settings that let parents limit what their children can see and do online.
Other left-wing and nationalist parties voted against the legislation.
Meanwhile, Greece joins more than 20 countries that have introduced or approved similar limits on children’s social media use.
Australia became the first country to bring in a nationwide ban for users under 16.
Its online safety regulator, the eSafety Commissioner, oversees that rule.
Supporters of such measures say platforms use algorithms built to keep young users engaged for long periods.
Algorithms are the automated rules that decide what content a user sees.
Supporters add that this may affect the mental health and wellbeing of young people.
Critics Question Enforcement And Free Speech
The ruling party’s majority meant it did not need opposition support to pass the bill.
PASOK wanted a narrower plan, while other parties opposed the bill outright.
However, critics have questioned whether age limits can be enforced effectively.
They have also objected on grounds of free speech and access to online information.
Social media companies now have until January 1, 2027 to prepare.
Meanwhile, the debate continues around the world.
Governments are weighing how best to protect children online while balancing privacy, digital access and individual rights.
