Greece to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15

Greece will ban children under the age of 15 from accessing social media starting January 1, 2027. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed the decision on Wednesday, blaming rising anxiety, sleep problems, and the addictive design of online platforms for the drastic measure.

In a video message addressed to young people, Mitsotakis explained that spending long hours in front of screens prevents their minds from resting. He noted that teenagers face growing pressure from constant online comparisons and toxic comments.

"Greece will be among the first countries to take such an initiative," Mitsotakis said. "I am certain, however, that it will not be the last. Our goal is to push the European Union in this direction as well."

To drive regional action, Mitsotakis has written to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He proposed establishing an EU-wide "digital age of majority" at 15, mandating strict age verification, and setting up a unified enforcement system by the end of 2026.

Desperate Parents Back the Ban

The move has strong public backing. A recent ALCO poll shows that 80% of Greek adults support the ban. The urgency is clear: according to the Greek Safer Internet Centre in Athens, 75% of children using social media in Greece are still in primary school.

Many parents feel overwhelmed. "Ban them, shut them down. We've reached our limits... We parents need help," one mother told Reuters before the ban was officially announced.

Georgia Efstathiou, 43, said she had tried everything to limit her 14-year-old son's screen time and pleaded for government intervention. However, some parents view the ban differently. Dimitris Daniil, 44, suggested a ban should be a last resort, preferring family-led boundaries first. "But where that's not possible, perhaps a ban would work as the extreme remedy," he conceded.

His 14-year-old daughter, Katerina, highlighted the struggle her generation faces. "It is the way we learned since we were born," she said. "I can control it, but then again I usually get carried away."

A Growing Global Movement

Greece has already taken steps to limit digital distractions by outlawing mobile phones in schools and setting up parental control platforms.

This upcoming ban reflects a growing global trend to protect minors online. In December, Australia became the world's first country to ban social media for under-16s, blocking access to major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Across Europe, the debate is accelerating. France, Spain, Austria, and the UK are exploring various restrictions ranging from digital curfews to full bans. While the French Senate recently voted in favor of a ban, internal disagreements remain over whether it should apply broadly or only to platforms officially deemed dangerous for children.

Meanwhile, in the United States, landmark legal trials have recently found major social media companies liable for harming young users through addictive design features, adding further momentum to the push for stricter digital regulation worldwide.