Greece has announced plans to ban access to social media for under-15s, becoming the latest European country to restrict children's exposure to online platforms.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the move was aimed at tackling rising anxiety and sleep problems among young people, as well as what he described as the addictive design of social media.
The restriction will come into force from January of next year.
In December, Australia became the first country in the world to require TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat and other top sites to remove accounts held by under-16s, or face heavy fines. France, Austria and Spain are among a growing number of nations pursuing similar curbs.
The UK government has launched a consultation on whether to implement a ban for under-16s, while Ireland and Denmark are considering similar measures.
Social media companies argue that blanket bans will be ineffective, difficult to enforce and could isolate vulnerable teenagers. Reddit is challenging Australia's law in court.
In a video message posted on TikTok, Mitsotakis said: Many young people tell me they feel exhausted from comparisons, from comments, from the pressure to always be online. He mentioned concerns from parents regarding their children experiencing poor sleep and ongoing anxiety due to smartphone usage.
Calling the planned restriction difficult but necessary, he expressed that the government's goal is not to distance youth from technology, which can be a source of inspiration and creativity, but to address the harmful effects of certain apps designed to capture attention.
Further details regarding the enforcement of the ban are expected to be revealed later. Mitsotakis is also advocating for a unified European approach by reaching out to EU leaders for a common framework to protect minors across different nations.
The conversation around children's usage of social media has intensified, especially following a landmark trial in the U.S. that found platforms like Meta (Instagram, Facebook) and YouTube intentionally designed addictive features harming youngsters' mental health.
With this ban, Greece joins a growing list of nations taking action to address the implications of digital environments on youth.
