Social media for 15 years. Cyprus prepares new regulations.

Social media in Cyprus is to be accessible to users aged 15 and over. The government is preparing draft legislation restricting the ability of younger children to create and maintain accounts. The document is expected to be submitted to parliament in December 2026.

This is still a proposal, not a binding ban. Before the work is finalized, public consultations and an assessment of the impact of the changes on children's rights are planned. A function in the Digital Citizen app would confirm users' age, without providing additional personal data to the platforms.

Social media in Cyprus has an age limit

The information was presented by Finance Minister Makis Keravnos in response to a parliamentary question by MP Adamos Aspris.

The Council of Ministers approved a plan for the protection of minors on social networking sites September 16, 2026One of its main goals is to establish a national age threshold for using such services.

The proposed limit is 15 yearsThe solution being prepared will apply to both the creation of accounts and their continued maintenance by persons under the specified age.

The draft is being developed by a dedicated working group. The document will then undergo legal and legislative review and consultation. The December deadline refers to the planned submission to parliament, not the automatic implementation of restrictions.

How would age verification work?

The government plans to use the application Digital Citizen, also known as Digital Citizen. It would receive a solution based on the European technical template for age verification — the EU Age Verification Blueprint.

Under the presented assumption, the user would confirm that they meet the required threshold. The platform would only receive a response stating whether the age requirement was met.

It wouldn't need to learn additional user personal data. The goal is to confirm eligibility to use the service while limiting the scope of information disclosed.

The description provided here is not yet a complete guide for parents. Technical details and how to interact with platforms remain part of the preparation process.

First, consultations and assessment of children's rights

Before the final development of the project, a assessment of the impact of the proposed changes on children's rights.

Consultations via the "Głos Obywatela" platform and talks with youth organizations and relevant institutions are also planned.

The results will be used to evaluate the entire solution, including the proposed age limit. This means that 15 years remains the project's target, which will be further analyzed.

The government is also in contact with representatives of digital platforms. Their involvement will help assess the practicalities of implementing restrictions.

Enforcing the rules requires cooperation

The Minister announced the preparation of a supervision system compliant with the EU Digital Services Act, or DSA.

In the case of platforms operating from another European Union country, cooperation between the relevant authorities will be crucial. A Cypriot institution could participate in the transmission of complaints and information in accordance with European procedures.

Therefore, it should not be assumed that a national law will allow a single Cypriot service to independently monitor all foreign services. Detailed rules for accountability and enforcement require further refinement.

Age limit alone is not enough

The government emphasises that child protection cannot be based solely on regulations and technical tools.

The plan covers three interconnected areas: legal regulations, technological solutions, and education and awareness-raising. Information activities will target children, parents, and teachers.

For families living in Cyprus, the most important thing now will be the consultation results and the final draft text. Only the adopted regulations will determine which accounts will be affected by the restrictions, how they will be enforced, and when they will take effect.