ATHENS: Greece will prohibit children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms starting January 1, 2027, Prime Minister “Kyriakos Mitsotakis” announced on Wednesday.
The move comes amid growing concerns over rising anxiety, sleep disturbances, and the addictive nature of online platforms among young users. In a video message directed at young people, Mitsotakis highlighted the mental strain caused by long hours in front of screens, constant comparisons, and the pressures of online interactions. “Children spending extended time on phones do not allow their minds to rest,” he said. The decision follows reports from parents noting that their children struggle with sleep, heightened anxiety, and excessive phone use.
A February ALCO opinion poll showed that approximately 80% of respondents supported the ban. The Greek government has already banned mobile phones in schools and introduced parental control platforms to help manage teenagers’ screen time. Mitsotakis stated, “Greece will be among the first countries to take such an initiative, and I am certain it will not be the last.
Our goal is to encourage the European Union to follow suit.” Other European nations, including “Slovenia, the UK, Austria, and Spain”, are reportedly exploring similar restrictions, following Australia’s lead, which blocked social media access for children under 16 last year.
