Greece has announced plans to ban access to social media for under-15s, becoming the latest European country to restrict children's exposure to online platforms. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the move was aimed at tackling rising anxiety and sleep problems among young people, as well as what he described as the addictive design of social media. The restriction will come into force from January of next year.
In December, Australia became the first country in the world to require TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and other top sites to remove accounts held by under-16s, or face heavy fines. France, Austria, and Spain are among a growing number of nations pursuing similar curbs.
The UK government has launched a consultation on whether to implement a ban for under-16s, while Ireland and Denmark are considering similar measures. Social media companies argue that blanket bans will be ineffective, difficult to enforce, and could isolate vulnerable teenagers. Reddit is challenging Australia's law in court.
In a video message posted on TikTok, Mitsotakis said: Many young people tell me they feel exhausted from comparisons, from comments, from the pressure to always be online. He noted that he had spoken with parents whose children do not sleep well, are anxious, and are always on their phones. Calling the planned restriction difficult but necessary, he emphasized that the goal was not to distance young people from technology but rather to address its negative impacts stemming from its addictive features.
Further details regarding the regulatory framework to enforce the ban will be outlined later, with Mitsotakis indicating Greece's intention to advocate for a common EU framework for the protection of minors online. This movement reflects a growing concern over the mental well-being of children in the digital age, fueled by evidence showing that social media can have detrimental effects on young people's mental health.
In December, Australia became the first country in the world to require TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and other top sites to remove accounts held by under-16s, or face heavy fines. France, Austria, and Spain are among a growing number of nations pursuing similar curbs.
The UK government has launched a consultation on whether to implement a ban for under-16s, while Ireland and Denmark are considering similar measures. Social media companies argue that blanket bans will be ineffective, difficult to enforce, and could isolate vulnerable teenagers. Reddit is challenging Australia's law in court.
In a video message posted on TikTok, Mitsotakis said: Many young people tell me they feel exhausted from comparisons, from comments, from the pressure to always be online. He noted that he had spoken with parents whose children do not sleep well, are anxious, and are always on their phones. Calling the planned restriction difficult but necessary, he emphasized that the goal was not to distance young people from technology but rather to address its negative impacts stemming from its addictive features.
Further details regarding the regulatory framework to enforce the ban will be outlined later, with Mitsotakis indicating Greece's intention to advocate for a common EU framework for the protection of minors online. This movement reflects a growing concern over the mental well-being of children in the digital age, fueled by evidence showing that social media can have detrimental effects on young people's mental health.
