The Greek government on Monday unveiled a new National Strategy to combat youth violence, highlighting a digital tool called “Kids Wallet” designed to protect minors from online abuse and harmful content.
The app, currently available for iOS devices and expected on Android soon, allows parents to control and restrict their children's access to social media, whether on their own device or a parent's.
Guardians can set pre-set usage schedules for school hours or weekends or create customized limits based on their family’s needs.
A key feature of the app is identity verification, allowing parents to upload their child’s ID, enabling the app to confirm the child’s age when logging into social platforms.
This feature is intended to enable the automatic application of age-appropriate content filters once ongoing negotiations with social media companies at the European level are finalized.
It will also prevent minors from purchasing age-restricted products online and in physical stores.
Setting up the app involves a simple process where the parent logs in with their government-issued Taxisnet credentials, selects the protected family member, identifies the device in use, and configures access settings. The app also logs usage data, offering parents detailed statistics on their child’s time spent on each platform.
At a multi-ministerial press conference in Athens, government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis opened the event by acknowledging children who have experienced violence silently.
Minister of State Akis Skertsos stated that violent behavior among youth often stems from trauma and neglect, emphasizing the need for collective support for children, families, and teachers.
Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki noted the significance of the issue, reporting over 1,250 complaints filed through the "Break the Silence" online platform.
Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Domna Michailidou emphasized that violence is learned, not inherent, and outlined the new strategy's 29 policies and 69 specific actions. Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou detailed the functionality of the Kids Wallet app and stressed parental responsibility in its use.
Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis highlighted increased police presence and introduced a dedicated hotline (10201) and the Safe Youth mobile app for immediate access to police services.
Officials emphasized that the strategy aims to address broader societal issues beyond minors, calling for a unified, long-term approach to protect children and transform the understanding and prevention of violence at its root.