Greece has announced a ban on social media access for children under the age of 15, set to take effect from January 1, 2027. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the measure aims to tackle rising anxiety, sleep problems, and the addictive design of online platforms.
In a video message addressed to young people, Mr Mitsotakis explained that prolonged screen time prevents mental rest and subjects children to pressure from constant comparison and online comments. He noted that many parents have reported their children struggling with sleep, heightened anxiety, and excessive phone use.
An ALCO opinion poll published in February found that approximately 80 per cent of respondents approved of such a ban. The Greek government has already outlawed mobile phones in schools and introduced parental control platforms to limit teenagers' screen time.
Mr Mitsotakis stated that Greece will be among the first countries to take such an initiative but predicted it will not be the last, aiming to push the European Union in this direction. Slovenia, Britain, Austria, and Spain have also indicated they are working on similar bans, following Australia, which became the first country to block access for under-16s last year.
