Greece has announced plans to prohibit children under 15 from accessing social media platforms, a move aimed at curbing online addiction and protecting young users from harmful content. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the ban would take effect on January 1, 2027, making Greece one of the first countries to introduce such a measure.
The restriction will apply to platforms that encourage “endless scrolling,” including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Messaging services like WhatsApp, Messenger, Viber, and video-sharing site YouTube will not be affected. The government plans to keep the list of banned platforms dynamic, updating it if new services emerge with similar characteristics.
To enforce the ban, social media companies will be required to verify users’ ages. Mitsotakis emphasised that the goal is not to prevent children from engaging with technology altogether, but to reduce exposure to addictive features that can harm their well-being. He pointed to scientific evidence suggesting prolonged screen time can interfere with brain development and rest.
In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Mitsotakis urged the EU to adopt a unified framework by the end of 2026, proposing a “Digital Age of Majority” at 15 across member states. This would include biannual age re-verification by platforms to prevent circumvention of access controls.
The move comes amid growing international concern over the impact of social media on young people. Australia introduced a similar ban in December, requiring major platforms to remove accounts held by under-16s, though enforcement has proven challenging. Indonesia began enforcing age restrictions in March, while Austria, Spain, and Denmark have signalled plans to follow suit.
Greece’s decision reflects a broader push by governments to regulate online spaces for minors, balancing the benefits of digital access with the need to protect children’s mental and emotional health.
