Greece will prohibit children under 15 from accessing social media platforms beginning January 1, 2027, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced in a TikTok video message. The ban targets what officials describe as the addictive design of digital platforms that contribute to rising anxiety and sleep disorders among young people.
The restriction positions Greece among a growing number of nations implementing age-based social media controls. Australia became the first country to require platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat to remove accounts held by under-16s or face heavy fines. France, Austria, and Spain are pursuing similar measures.
Many young people tell me they feel exhausted from comparisons, from comments, from the pressure to always be online.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece — BBC
Mitsotakis emphasized that the goal is not to distance youth from technology entirely, but to limit exposure to platforms designed to maximize screen time and user engagement. The government will present legislation to parliament this summer, accompanied by enforcement mechanisms including the KidsWallet application for parental controls and age verification.
The Greek initiative extends beyond national borders. Mitsotakis has written to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposing a unified EU framework with mandatory age verification across all platforms and periodic re-checking of user ages every six months.
The BBC frames this as part of a broader European trend toward digital regulation, emphasizing the mental health justifications while noting industry opposition. Their coverage positions the UK as actively considering similar measures, reflecting Britain's alignment with European digital policy despite Brexit.