April 08, (THEWILL) — Greece has taken a decisive step to safeguard the well-being of its younger population, announcing a ban on social media access for children under the age of 15, a policy set to take effect from January 1, 2027.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made the announcement on Wednesday, describing the measure as both challenging and necessary in the face of mounting concerns over the effects of digital exposure on children.
Delivering his message through a video shared on TikTok, Mitsotakis acknowledged that the decision may not be popular among younger users but stressed that it is ultimately aimed at protecting their future.
“I know that some of you are going to be angry. Our aim is not to keep you away from technology but to combat addiction to certain applications that harm your innocence and your freedom,” he said.
The policy places Greece at the forefront of global efforts to regulate children’s access to digital platforms.
Government officials say the move is rooted in growing scientific evidence linking excessive screen time to negative outcomes in children’s cognitive development, emotional health, and overall well-being.
Mitsotakis also indicated that Greece would push for broader adoption of similar regulations within the European Union, highlighting the need for coordinated international action to address what he described as a shared challenge of the digital age.
Globally, momentum is building toward stricter oversight of minors’ use of social media.
In Australia, authorities have introduced regulations requiring platforms such as YouTube and Snapchat to remove accounts belonging to users under 16 or risk significant fines.
Similarly, Indonesia has begun enforcing a nationwide ban on social media usage for children under 16, taking regulatory action against major technology companies including Google and Meta over alleged non-compliance.
In Europe, Austria is preparing legislation that would restrict social media access for children up to the age of 14, with a formal proposal expected soon.
Other countries such as Spain and Denmark have also signalled intentions to introduce minimum age requirements for social networking platforms.
Experts say these measures reflect a growing awareness among governments of the risks associated with unregulated digital engagement among minors, including exposure to harmful content, privacy concerns, and the addictive nature of many platforms.
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