Greece just announced it's banning social media for anyone under 15, with the new rules kicking in next year. The country is following in the footsteps of France and Spain, which have already put similar restrictions in place.
This is part of a broader European movement to protect kids from the potential harms of social media. While the US debates age verification and parental controls, European countries are taking a more direct regulatory approach.
For anyone building AI tools or social platforms, this matters. Age verification is becoming a compliance requirement, not a nice to have. If you're developing consumer AI products, especially anything social or content related, you'll need robust age gating systems that work across different regulatory frameworks.
The trend also signals where things might be headed globally. As more countries adopt these restrictions, we could see a fragmented internet where platforms need different versions for different markets. That's a headache for developers but an opportunity for compliance tech and age verification startups.
Expect more European countries to follow suit. The regulatory momentum is clearly building, and tech companies operating in Europe will need to adapt their products and policies accordingly.
