Greece will become one of the first European nations to implement a comprehensive ban on social media use for children under 15, with the restrictions taking effect at the beginning of 2027. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the landmark policy in a video message, citing anxiety, sleep disruption, and addictive platform design as primary concerns driving the measure.
The ban addresses growing concerns about the psychological impact of social media on young users, particularly issues surrounding social comparison and negative effects from online commentary. Mitsotakis emphasized Greece's commitment to setting a precedent, stating the country aims to inspire similar action across the European Union.
The enforcement framework will rely on multi-layered compliance mechanisms. Social media platforms will face legal obligations to verify user ages, with non-compliance triggering substantial fines under EU Digital Services Act provisions. Additionally, parents will utilize a state-backed application called Kids Wallet, which can be installed on children's devices to restrict social media access. Regulatory authorities continue refining implementation details to ensure effective enforcement.
This initiative builds on Greece's existing child protection efforts, including a 2024 ban on mobile phones in school settings. Recent polling demonstrates strong public support among Greek adults for the social media restrictions, though younger citizens predictably oppose the measure.
Greece joins a growing international movement addressing youth social media consumption. Indonesia, Austria, and Australia have recently enacted similar age-based restrictions. The United Kingdom is currently deliberating comparable legislation targeting users under 16.
The policy represents a significant regulatory moment in Europe's approach to digital platform governance and child safety, potentially influencing broader legislative trends across member states seeking to balance internet accessibility with youth protection.