Skertsos on social media: platforms would carry out age checks
The minister describes plans for 1 January 2027; the bill’s second reading is scheduled for 21 October.
Updated 20.10.2026 · 01:10, Athens time — What changed:
In an ERTnews interview published on 20 October, Minister of State Akis Skertsos said the plan for under-15 social-media use would put responsibility for reliable age verification on platforms. He described the option of using a Greek or European digital application, rather than mandatory use of a single national solution.
The minister places implementation on 1 January 2027. This describes government plans, not a new ban taking effect today.
A fresh Parliament check confirms that the bill remains in committee processing, with its second reading scheduled for 21 October at 10:00. The interview does not replace final passage, Government Gazette publication or implementing acts.
Earlier updates — history
Updated 19.10.2026 · 23:11, Athens time — What changed:
Parliament has scheduled a new meeting on the bill “Prohibition of minors' use of online social networking services” for Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 10:00, in the “President Athanasios Konst. Tsaldaris” room (223).
The official entry identifies it as the fourth meeting and second reading, held jointly by the Public Administration, Public Order and Justice Committee and the Social Affairs Committee. Compared with this article's previous update on the scheduled 16 October hearing, the bill's record now carries a processing-stage date of 19 October and lists meetings on 19 and 21 October.
What the entry confirms — and what it does not
It confirms the next scheduled stage of the parliamentary process. An agenda is not a voting record and does not by itself establish the outcome of an earlier meeting. Committee processing is not equivalent to final plenary passage, publication of a law in the Government Gazette or the commencement of a new ban.
The subject concerns social networking services, not a general ban on minors accessing the entire internet. Final conditions and commencement require verification against the final legislative text and any implementing acts.
Earlier checks — history
What changed — 16.10.2026 · 12:09, Greece time: the bill on minors’ use of social media has now been submitted and is undergoing parliamentary scrutiny. The article’s earlier update, on 4 October, saying it had not yet been submitted no longer describes its current stage.
Parliament’s official record lists submission on 9 October 2026 and committee meetings on 13 and 16 October. The bill introduced by Minister of State Christos-Georgios Skertsos concerns prohibiting minors from using social-networking services.
Today’s scheduled procedure
The official schedule lists a second joint meeting of the Public Administration, Public Order and Justice Committee and the Social Affairs Committee for 10 a.m. on 16 October in the Senate Hall, with a hearing of people from outside Parliament.
The listing confirms the subject and schedule, not that the hearing has finished, what participants said or the outcome of a vote.
What this means for the public
Committee scrutiny does not amount to final passage, Government Gazette publication or commencement. These parliamentary records do not establish that a new prohibition has already taken effect. Final conditions and commencement dates require checking the final legislative text and accompanying implementing acts.
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