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 introduce a ban on social media access for children aged 15 and younger, marking its entry into a wave of European nations implementing restrictions on digital platforms for minors. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted the initiative as a response to the growing mental health challenges linked to online activity, including heightened stress and sleep disturbances. The policy will take effect in January of the following year.

Australia pioneered similar measures in December, mandating that platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat remove accounts of users under 16 or risk substantial penalties. Countries such as France, Austria, and Spain have since joined the effort, while the UK is reviewing options for a comparable ban. Ireland and Denmark are also exploring similar regulations. Despite these moves, social media companies contest the effectiveness of such broad restrictions, arguing they may be hard to apply and could inadvertently push teenagers further into isolation.

In a TikTok video message on Wednesday, Mitsotakis stated:

“Many young people tell me they feel exhausted from comparisons, from comments, and from the pressure to always be online.”

He noted that parents have expressed concerns about their children’s sleep patterns and emotional well-being, citing constant phone use as a contributing factor. While acknowledging technology’s potential as a tool for inspiration and creativity, Mitsotakis emphasized the need to counteract its “addictive design” and business models that prioritize screen time over user well-being.

Further details about the regulatory framework will be announced on Wednesday. Mitsotakis also pledged to advocate for a unified EU approach, urging European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to support a common strategy. His proposals include mandatory age verification for users under 15, a continent-wide ban, and periodic age checks every six months. The ongoing discussion about children’s social media use has gained momentum, driven by evidence of its impact on mental health. In March, Meta and YouTube were held accountable in a landmark US case, where a jury determined they had engineered addictive platforms that harmed a woman’s mental health during her childhood.

Meta and Google, the parent company of YouTube, contested the verdict and plan to appeal. Meta asserted that “teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be attributed to a single app.” Meanwhile, Reddit is challenging Australia’s law through legal channels, underscoring the broader debate over how best to balance digital engagement with its potential risks for young users.