Greece has announced plans to ban access to social media for under-15s, positioning itself as the latest European country to take steps to limit minors' exposure to online platforms.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted that the move aims to combat rising anxiety and sleep issues among the youth, as well as addressing what he termed the 'addictive design' of social media.
The restriction is scheduled to begin in January 2024.
This prohibition follows Australia's groundbreaking decision in December to mandate the removal of under-16 accounts from major social platforms like TikTok and YouTube or face significant fines. Other nations, including France, Austria, and Spain, are also exploring similar restrictions.
The UK government is currently consulting on a potential ban for users under 16, while Ireland and Denmark are weighing their options on similar fronts.
Social media companies argue that blanket bans may not be effective, hard to enforce, and could alienate vulnerable teens. Some platforms, like Reddit, have even initiated legal challenges against Australia's law.
In a TikTok message shared on Wednesday, Mitsotakis stated: 'Many young people have expressed feeling exhausted due to comparisons, comments, and the pressure of always being online.'
Furthermore, he shared concerns from parents detailing their children's struggles with sleep and constant phone use.
Mitsotakis characterized the impending ban as 'difficult but necessary,' asserting that the government's aim is not to sever youth from technology, which he deems capable of serving as a source of inspiration and creativity. Instead, he spotlighted the necessity to combat the detrimental effects of addiction created by social media's business model.
Additional regulations to enforce this ban will be revealed in due course, as Greece plans to advocate for action at a European level. Mitsotakis has proposed a common EU framework, obliging platforms to verify the ages of users under 15 regularly.
The intensifying debate over children’s use of social media reflects mounting evidence of its adverse effects on mental health. Notably, a recent U.S. landmark trial found Meta and YouTube liable for harm caused by childhood addiction to social media.
Meta and Google indicated intentions to contest the verdict, articulating that adolescent mental health is complex and cannot be attributed solely to a single application.
