Trending 
Greece will prohibit children under the age of 15 from accessing social media starting January 1, 2027, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced.
In a video shared on TikTok, Mitsotakis said the government had opted for what he described as a tough but necessary step to protect young users, adding that Greece is among the first countries to introduce such restrictions.
He also indicated plans to push for similar measures across the European Union.
“We have decided to go ahead with a difficult but necessary measure: ban access to social media for children under 15 years old.
“Greece is among the first countries in the world to adopt such a measure.”
Addressing younger audiences directly, the prime minister acknowledged that the decision may not be easily accepted, but stressed that the goal is not to isolate children from technology, but to curb excessive use of certain platforms that could negatively affect their development and well-being.
He cited scientific concerns about prolonged screen time, noting that extended exposure can impact children’s cognitive rest and overall health.
“I know that some of your are going to be angry…. Our aim is not to keep you away from technology but to combat addiction to certain applications that harms your innocence and your freedom.
“Science is clear: when a child is in front of screens for hours, their brain does not rest,” he said.
Greece joins a growing list of countries tightening regulations on youth access to social media.
Australia recently introduced rules requiring major platforms to remove accounts held by users under 16 or face penalties, while Indonesia has begun enforcing a similar ban for those under 16.
Meanwhile, Austria is preparing legislation to restrict access for children under 14, with Spain and Denmark also considering comparable measures.
