Greece will prohibit children under 15 from accessing social media platforms starting January next year, making it one of the latest European countries to impose restrictions aimed at protecting young people online.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the measure as a response to rising anxiety, sleep problems, and what he called the “addictive design” of social media platforms. In a video posted on TikTok, he said many young people report feeling exhausted by comparisons, comments, and constant online pressure. Parents have also raised concerns about their children’s mental health and sleep deprivation.
Mitsotakis stressed that the government’s goal is not to block young people from technology entirely, which can be a source of creativity and knowledge, but to limit exposure to platforms designed to maximize screen time and capture attention.
Greece’s move follows similar steps in other countries. In December, Australia became the first nation to require social media platforms, including TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat, to remove accounts for under-16s or face fines. France, Austria, Spain, and other European nations are considering comparable restrictions, while the UK and Ireland are consulting on potential bans for under-16s.
Social media companies argue that such bans may be difficult to enforce, potentially ineffective, and risk isolating vulnerable teens. Reddit has already challenged Australia’s law in court.
Mitsotakis also urged for coordinated action at the European level. In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he proposed mandatory age verification for under-15s, a pan-European ban, and re-checking user ages every six months to ensure compliance.
The debate over children’s use of social media has intensified, especially after a landmark US trial in March held Meta and YouTube liable for a woman’s childhood social media addiction, ruling that their platforms intentionally harmed her mental health. Both companies have denied the verdict and plan to appeal.
As Greece prepares to implement the ban, the government emphasizes the need to balance digital access with mental health protection, highlighting the risks of addictive platform designs and prioritizing children’s well-being.
