Greece to ban social media for under-15s from next year

Greece to ban social media for under-15s from next year

Greece is set to introduce a regulation restricting access to social media for children under the age of 15, marking another step in Europe’s effort to limit digital exposure for young users. The policy, effective from January of next year, aims to address concerns over the impact of online platforms on mental health and daily habits.

“Many young people tell me they feel exhausted from comparisons, from comments, from the pressure to always be online,” said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in a TikTok video released on Wednesday. He highlighted that parents report their children struggling with sleep, anxiety, and constant phone use.

Australia pioneered similar measures in December, mandating that platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat remove accounts of users under 16 or face significant penalties. France, Austria, and Spain have since followed suit, while the UK is currently evaluating a ban for under-16s. Ireland and Denmark are also considering comparable strategies.

Social media companies contest the effectiveness of such bans, arguing they are hard to implement and could push vulnerable teens further into isolation. Reddit, for instance, is contesting Australia’s law in court. Mitsotakis emphasized that the goal is not to cut off youth from technology but to counteract its “addictive design” and business model that prioritizes screen time.

The debate has gained urgency as studies show social media’s toll on mental health. In March, a landmark US case found Meta and YouTube accountable for a woman’s childhood addiction, citing their role in creating platforms that sustainably harm users. Meta and Google plan to appeal the verdict, though they acknowledge the complexity of teen mental health.

Further specifics on the regulatory framework will be detailed later on Wednesday. Mitsotakis also pledged to advocate for a unified EU approach, urging the European Commission to support national efforts in safeguarding minors. His plan includes mandatory age verification across platforms, a continent-wide ban for under-15s, and periodic age checks every six months.