Greece to ban social media for under-15s from next year
Greece to ban social media for under-15s from next year
Greece is set to implement a ban on social media access for children under 15, joining a growing list of European nations seeking to limit young users’ exposure to online platforms. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted the initiative as a response to escalating mental health concerns, including anxiety and sleep disturbances, linked to the digital habits of youth. He also pointed to the “addictive design” of social media applications as a key factor driving these issues.
The new rule will take effect in January next year. This follows Australia’s pioneering move in December, which mandated that platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat remove accounts held by users under 16 or risk substantial penalties. Other countries, such as France, Austria, and Spain, have also introduced similar restrictions. The UK is currently reviewing options for a ban targeting under-16s, while Ireland and Denmark explore comparable measures.
“Many young people tell me they feel exhausted from comparisons, from comments, from the pressure to always be online,” Mitsotakis said in a TikTok video. He added that parents reported their children experiencing poor sleep, heightened anxiety, and constant phone use.
Social media companies have criticized the proposed ban, arguing that universal restrictions are impractical to enforce and may inadvertently separate teenagers who rely on these platforms for support. Reddit, for example, is contesting Australia’s law through legal channels. Mitsotakis emphasized that the government’s aim is not to disconnect youth from technology but to address its harmful aspects.
“The addictive design of certain applications, and a business model based on capturing your attention—on how long you stay in front of a screen—takes away your innocence and your freedom,” he stated. “That has to stop somewhere.” Further details on the enforcement framework will be announced later on Wednesday. Mitsotakis also pledged to advocate for a unified EU approach to bolster national efforts in protecting minors. In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he proposed mandatory age verification across all platforms, a continent-wide ban for under-15s, and periodic age checks every six months.
The discussion around children’s social media usage has gained momentum recently, fueled by evidence of its impact on mental well-being. In March, Meta and YouTube were held accountable in a landmark U.S. trial involving a woman whose childhood addiction to social media was attributed to the platforms. Jurors concluded that Meta, which operates Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, and Google, the parent company of YouTube, intentionally created addictive systems that affected her mental health. Meta and Google have expressed their disagreement with the verdict and plan to appeal.