The government of Greece has announced plans to ban access to social media for children under the age of 15 starting January 1, 2027, in a move aimed at tackling digital addiction among young people.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Wednesday through a video posted on the popular platform TikTok.
“We have decided to go ahead with a difficult but necessary measure: ban access to social media for children under 15 years old,” Mitsotakis said.
He added that Greece would push for broader adoption of the policy within the European Union, noting that the country is among the first globally to introduce such restrictions.
The prime minister explained that he deliberately chose social media to deliver the message so he could speak directly to teenagers and children who use the platforms daily.
“I know that some of you are going to be angry,” he said. “Our aim is not to keep you away from technology but to combat addiction to certain applications that harm your innocence and your freedom.”
Mitsotakis also cited scientific concerns about the effects of prolonged screen exposure on children, saying extended time in front of screens can negatively affect brain rest and development.
The decision follows similar moves in other parts of the world. In December, Australia became the first country to require platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat to remove accounts belonging to users under 16 or face heavy fines.
Meanwhile, Indonesia began enforcing a ban on social media use for individuals under 16 in March and has already issued summons letters to major tech companies including Google and Meta over alleged non-compliance.
Across Europe, more governments are considering similar regulations. Austria announced plans last month to introduce a ban on social media for children up to 14 years old, with legislation expected to be presented later this year.
Other countries, including Spain and Denmark, have also signaled intentions to establish a “digital age of majority” for social networks.
Supporters of the policy argue that such measures are necessary to protect children’s mental health and development, while critics say enforcement could prove challenging in an increasingly digital world.
