Greece has announced plans to ban access to social media for children under the age of 15, in a move aimed at addressing growing concerns about the impact of digital platforms on young people.
The policy, unveiled by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is expected to take effect from January 1, 2027, once approved by parliament later this year. The government says the decision is driven by rising cases of anxiety, sleep disruption, and the addictive nature of social media among minors.
Mitsotakis noted that excessive screen time can negatively affect children’s mental development, stressing that prolonged exposure to digital platforms denies young users adequate rest and increases psychological pressure. He described the measure as “difficult but necessary” in protecting children’s wellbeing.
Under the proposed rules, social media companies will be required to restrict access for underage users or risk penalties under the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which allows fines of up to six per cent of global turnover for non-compliance.
The Greek government also plans to introduce the legislation by mid-2026 and is pushing for a broader European framework to enforce similar age restrictions across the bloc. Mitsotakis has called for a unified “digital age of majority” at 15, alongside stricter age-verification systems.
The move reflects a growing global trend, with countries such as Australia already implementing similar restrictions and several European nations considering comparable policies.
Authorities say the ban forms part of wider efforts to regulate digital exposure among children, following earlier steps such as prohibiting mobile phone use in schools and introducing parental control systems.
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