Greece has announced a ban on social media for children under 15, set to take effect on 1 January if approved by parliament. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis cited rising anxiety, sleep problems, and the addictive design of platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. The ban, targeting those born after 2012, will be voted on this summer in the 300-seat parliament controlled by his centre-right New Democracy party.
Greece joins a growing list of countries introducing restrictions. France began similar legislation in January, while Australia blocked accounts for under-16s in December. The UK has launched a consultation on the issue. A YouGov poll across six European countries found that 76% of Britons support a ban for under-16s, though 54% believe it would be ineffective.
The survey showed majority support across party lines, with parents of under-18s among the most enthusiastic. However, scepticism remains: in the UK, even 46% of those supporting a ban doubt its effectiveness. In Greece, an ALCO poll found overwhelming endorsement for the crackdown, with teachers reporting severe sleep deprivation among students linked to excessive screen time.
Mitsotakis has called for EU-wide standardised age verification tools by 2027, writing to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that 'national action alone will not suffice'. The move follows a 2024 ban on mobile phones in Greek schools and the establishment of parental control platforms.
