Greek authorities move to protect youth from gambling

Greece has announced a significant new policy that would make it the first European Union (EU) member state to introduce a nationwide ban on social media access for children under the age of 16. The initiative extends even further for older teenagers, restricting individuals under 18 from accessing digital content related to gambling, alcohol, tobacco, and pornography. The move marks a bold regulatory experiment in Europe, inspired by developments in Australia, and seeks to respond to growing concerns about children’s digital safety and wellbeing.

How the new policy will work

The ban will not be enforced solely through platform-level restrictions or government oversight. Instead, the policy relies on device-level solutions, ensuring that the responsibility is partly in the hands of parents and guardians.

The measure is to be implemented through a system known as the “Kids Wallet” application, which will act as a filter installed within a child’s device. Parents will be required to activate the security protocols and confirm the age of the device user. Once the parental controls are in place, the app will automatically block access to social media platforms, as well as sites featuring adult content and gambling services.

The structure is designed to integrate seamlessly with modern devices, including smartphones, tablets, and potentially gaming consoles, ensuring that the safeguards extend across digital ecosystems commonly used by young people.

Inspiration from Australia’s measures

The initiative was inspired in part by policies in Australia, where regulators and policymakers have also sought to place greater limits on children’s access to social media. Greece’s leadership appears motivated by similar concerns regarding the mental health and safety of young people, as well as the risks of exposure to harmful content.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has repeatedly emphasized the dangers of uncontrolled digital exposure, especially through social media. At an event in Australia, he warned: “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.”

By drawing from Australia’s experience, Greek lawmakers aim to develop a model that balances technological practicality with parental responsibility, while also serving as a potential prototype for other European nations.

Extending protection to gambling and adult content

While the outright social media ban applies to those under 16, additional protections are included for older teenagers up to the age of 18. Individuals within this age bracket will be restricted from accessing sites that promote or sell products linked to gambling, cigarettes, alcohol, or pornography.

The restrictions reflect broader European policy conversations on how to protect minors from addictive or harmful behaviors facilitated by online platforms. Gambling, in particular, has drawn significant scrutiny. With online betting markets rapidly expanding across Europe, regulators have been working to ensure that minors are not exposed to high-risk content or encouraged to engage in betting activities.

Earlier in 2025, the Hellenic Gaming Commission announced a partnership with Mindway AI to develop a gamified self-test tool. The initiative provides individuals with a voluntary means to assess their gambling behavior and identify potentially problematic habits. This tool, while not mandatory, reflects the growing policy interest in combining technology with preventive measures.

European Commission’s broader role

The European Commission has also been exploring how age verification can be more effectively integrated into digital systems. In a statement last year, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, identified several countries—including France, Spain, Greece, Denmark, and Italy—as participants in pilot projects aimed at testing stronger verification frameworks.

The Greek government has since confirmed its intention to take part in these projects, positioning itself at the forefront of European digital regulation. If successful, Greece could serve as a model for other EU member states seeking to adopt similar safeguards.

Balancing rights and restrictions

The proposed restrictions inevitably raise questions about children’s rights, parental authority, and digital freedoms. Critics of similar measures in other jurisdictions have argued that banning access may limit young people’s opportunities to connect, learn, and participate in online communities. Proponents, however, emphasize the importance of minimizing the risk of addiction, exposure to harmful material, and the negative mental health consequences often linked to heavy social media use.

Greek authorities have stated that the measure is not designed to remove children entirely from the digital sphere but to ensure that their exposure remains age-appropriate and regulated. The responsibility placed on parents is a key feature, as it ensures that families remain active decision-makers in the online lives of their children.

Potential challenges in enforcement

Despite the ambition behind the policy, enforcing such restrictions may face practical obstacles. For example:

• Parental compliance: The effectiveness of the Kids Wallet system depends on whether parents and guardians choose to activate the controls. Some may avoid or bypass the system.
• Technology limitations: Tech-savvy teenagers could attempt to circumvent device-level restrictions through VPNs, secondary devices, or alternative accounts.
• Platform responsibility: While device-based safeguards provide one layer of protection, the cooperation of social media companies and online platforms may still be necessary to ensure comprehensive enforcement.

The government has acknowledged these challenges and has suggested that future iterations of the system may involve closer collaboration with technology companies and internet providers.

Greece as a pioneer in Europe

If implemented as planned, Greece will be the first EU country to impose such restrictions, making it a test case for Europe. The initiative will be closely monitored by other member states, regulators, and advocacy groups interested in safeguarding children online.

The policy also coincides with a global conversation on the role of digital technologies in shaping youth development. Concerns about social media’s impact on self-esteem, attention spans, and susceptibility to harmful influences are increasingly common among parents, educators, and mental health professionals.

Broader implications for the digital economy

For technology companies and digital service providers, the ban could have significant implications. Social media platforms may need to adapt their operations in Greece, ensuring that they comply with the restrictions and avoid liability. Gambling operators, both domestic and international, will also need to ensure that their services are not accessible to underage users.

Such restrictions may also encourage innovation in age verification technologies, pushing companies to develop more robust systems that can satisfy both regulatory requirements and privacy concerns.

Public reaction and debate

Public opinion in Greece is expected to be divided. Some parents may welcome the move as a much-needed safeguard against harmful online exposure, while others may view it as excessive state interference in private life.

Civil liberties organizations may also raise concerns about privacy, data collection, and the possibility of unintended consequences, such as discouraging digital literacy. The government will likely need to address these criticisms by providing transparent guidelines on data protection, the scope of the restrictions, and avenues for appeal or exemption.

Looking ahead

The implementation of the social media and gambling access ban will mark a pivotal moment for Greece’s digital policy. By taking an ambitious approach, the country aims not only to safeguard its younger citizens but also to contribute to Europe’s broader efforts to regulate the digital environment in a balanced and responsible manner.

If successful, the initiative could set a precedent for other EU nations. However, its long-term effectiveness will depend on a combination of technological resilience, parental cooperation, public acceptance, and the ability to adapt the framework to emerging challenges in the digital landscape.

Conclusion

Greece’s forthcoming restrictions on social media and gambling access for young people represent a bold and unprecedented step in European digital regulation. By becoming the first EU country to adopt such measures, Greece is signaling its intent to place child protection and responsible online behavior at the center of national policy. The approach, built around device-level parental controls, shifts responsibility to families while also laying the groundwork for more comprehensive, continent-wide solutions.

While questions remain about enforcement, compliance, and the balance between digital freedom and protection, the initiative highlights a growing international consensus: children and teenagers require stronger safeguards in an increasingly complex online world. Whether the Greek model becomes a blueprint for other European states will depend on its success in addressing practical challenges while maintaining public trust. Ultimately, the policy underscores a wider recognition that the digital environment must evolve in a way that prioritizes health, safety, and long-term social wellbeing.

FAQs

What is Greece’s new policy on social media access for minors?
Greece plans to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms, while extending restrictions up to age 18 for gambling and adult content.

How will the restrictions be enforced?
The ban will be enforced through device-level parental controls using the “Kids Wallet” application, which blocks access to prohibited sites.

What inspired Greece to introduce this policy?
The initiative draws inspiration from similar measures in Australia and reflects growing concerns about the risks of uncontrolled digital exposure.

Will teenagers under 18 be completely banned from using the internet?
No. The restrictions target social media for under-16s and gambling, alcohol, tobacco, and adult content for under-18s, but general internet access is not prohibited.

Who is responsible for activating the controls?
Parents and guardians are responsible for enabling the security protocols on their children’s devices to ensure compliance with the new rules.

What has the Prime Minister said about the issue?
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated: “We are conducting the largest uncontrolled experiment ever with the minds of our children.”

How does the European Commission view the policy?
The European Commission has been testing age verification models in several countries, including Greece, and views such initiatives as part of wider regulatory efforts.

What challenges could the policy face?
Challenges include parental non-compliance, potential workarounds by teenagers, and ensuring that technology companies cooperate effectively.

How does this policy affect gambling operators?
Operators will need to ensure their platforms are inaccessible to minors, and may be required to adopt stronger age verification systems.

Could other European countries adopt similar measures?
Yes. If Greece’s model proves effective, it may influence future policy discussions in other EU member states.