Greece is preparing to make history as the first European country to automatically restrict minors’ access to online gambling, tobacco, and social media platforms.
According to local media reports, the initiative could be implemented as early as next month.
Under the proposed measures, children under 18 would be automatically blocked from online gambling and tobacco retail sites, while access to social media platforms would be restricted for minors under 15.
The system will be powered by the state-run Kids Wallet mobile application, which verifies users’ ages and filters content directly on devices.
Greek authorities have reportedly held extensive discussions with tech giants, including Google, to ensure the system is technologically robust and enforceable.
A European Commission delegation is scheduled to visit Athens later this week to both receive and provide technical guidance, in line with EU recommendations for protecting minors online.
Gambling meets tech regulation
The initiative addresses growing concerns over the potentially addictive nature of social media and online gambling, particularly for children.
Studies suggest that algorithms on platforms such as TikTok mimic gambling reward mechanisms, fostering compulsive behaviours that can affect attention, memory, and emotional regulation.
The restrictions align with broader EU efforts under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to protect minors online.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently backed a call to set a minimum age for accessing social media.
Many European Union countries “believe the time has come for a ‘digital majority age’ for access to social media. And I must tell you, as a mother of seven children, and grandmother of five, I share their view,” she said during an event at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
“These apps are working as they are designed — to attract and addict children to manipulative algorithms that are ultimately geared — let us be frank, to return profits for the tech billionaires in Silicon Valley,” she added.
In addition to Greece, other countries including France, Spain, Denmark, and Italy are also looking to implement age restrictions.
“Kids Wallet” empowers parents
Launched in May, Greece’s Kids Wallet is a government-operated mobile app that allows parents to monitor screen time and verify children’s ages on digital platforms.
The app integrates with Greece’s government services platform, already used for taxes and other bureaucracy.
Parents create a parent-child account using their online tax identification credentials, set usage permissions and daily limits, and confirm the child’s age with official documents.
This process creates a “digital identity” for the minor. Parental consent is no longer required from age 15.
Critics, however, point out that the app’s use remains voluntary for now.
Global context
Australia will enforce age restrictions on social media and online dating platforms for under-16s starting 10 October, citing risks of algorithmic manipulation and exploitation.
Unlike Australia, which requires identity verification for accounts, Greece’s system operates at the device level: Kids Wallet automatically blocks underage users from restricted platforms, even without logging in.
Although Greece appears to be ready to introduce the automatic restrictions, the final decision to do so rests with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (pictured), who has expressed willingness to proceed with the initiative.
