Greece will ban social media access for children under 15 beginning next year, according to BBC News. The restriction makes Greece the latest European country to impose age-based limits on platform use.

The move follows similar legislation in France and Spain, signaling a growing consensus among European policymakers that unfettered access to social platforms poses risks to young users. France introduced its ban in 2023, while Spain enacted comparable restrictions earlier this year.

The Greek government has not yet detailed how the ban will be enforced or what penalties platforms might face for non-compliance. That's the crucial question — age verification remains technically challenging and privacy advocates worry about the data collection required to prove a user's age.

The timing is notable. Greece's announcement comes as the European Union considers broader regulatory frameworks for digital platforms, including stricter requirements around age verification and parental consent. Several EU member states have pushed for harmonized rules rather than a patchwork of national laws.

Critics of such bans argue they're difficult to enforce and may simply push young users toward less regulated corners of the internet. Supporters counter that clear legal boundaries, even imperfect ones, send an important signal about societal expectations and corporate responsibility.

The real test will be implementation. Without robust enforcement mechanisms and cooperation from major platforms, age restrictions risk becoming symbolic gestures rather than meaningful protections.