Greece is moving to implement a sweeping ban on social media for children under the age of 15, marking a significant escalation in the European effort to curb the influence of digital platforms on minors. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the plan on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, stating that the restriction is intended to protect the mental health and well-being of the nation’s youth.
The proposed legislation aims to address a growing crisis of youth mental health, specifically targeting rising levels of anxiety and sleep deprivation. According to Mitsotakis, the move is a response to the “addictive design” of social media applications and a business model predicated on capturing user attention, which he argues strips away the “innocence and freedom” of children reported by the BBC.
The ban is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. To ensure compliance, the Greek government intends to require parents or guardians to install a specific app that enforces the restriction across all of a child’s devices, regardless of whether the parents agree with the reform via Politico.
This initiative places Greece among a growing number of nations seeking to limit children’s exposure to online platforms. The move follows similar trends in France, Austria, and Spain, and comes after Australia became the first country to require major sites like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat to remove accounts held by those under 16 as reported by Reuters.
Combatting “Addictive Design” and Mental Health Declines
In a video message posted to TikTok, Prime Minister Mitsotakis spoke directly to young people, acknowledging that the measures might be met with anger. He cited feedback from youth who feel “exhausted from comparisons, from comments, from the pressure to always be online,” as well as reports from parents regarding their children’s inability to sleep and constant phone usage per the BBC.
The Greek government maintains that even as technology can be a source of inspiration, knowledge, and creativity, the current structure of social media is detrimental. Mitsotakis described the planned restriction as “difficult but necessary” to combat the psychological toll of constant digital connectivity.
Proposed Enforcement Mechanisms
The draft law outlines a rigorous approach to enforcement that shifts significant responsibility onto the home environment. Under the proposed rules, parents and guardians will be mandated to use an enforcement app to block access to social media on all devices. This approach aims to bypass the difficulties often associated with platform-level age verification.
The legislation is expected to be presented to the Greek parliament during the summer of 2026, providing a window for legislative debate before the January 1, 2027, implementation date via Politico.
A Call for a European “Digital Age of Majority”
Recognizing that national laws may be insufficient against global tech giants, Prime Minister Mitsotakis has called for a coordinated response at the European Union level. In a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the Prime Minister argued that a collective European framework must be established by the end of 2026 to strengthen national initiatives via Politico.
The Greek leader’s proposals for the EU include several key pillars:
- The establishment of a European “Digital Age of Majority” set at 15.
- The launch of an EU-wide pilot program for age verification.
- A requirement for platforms to verify the age of users every two years to ensure continuous compliance.
- The creation of a streamlined coordination and enforcement mechanism at the EU level.
Global Context and Industry Pushback
Greece’s move reflects a global shift toward stricter regulation of the “attention economy.” Australia’s December mandate for the removal of accounts for under-16s has set a precedent, while the UK government has launched a consultation regarding a similar ban for those under 16. Ireland and Denmark are also reportedly considering similar restrictions via the BBC.
However, these measures face significant opposition from social media companies. Industry advocates argue that blanket bans are ineffective and difficult to enforce. We find also concerns that such restrictions could isolate vulnerable teenagers who rely on these platforms for community and support. These tensions are already playing out in the courts, as Reddit is currently challenging Australia’s legislation via the BBC.
Key Takeaways of the Proposed Greek Law
- Target Age: Children under 15 years old.
- Effective Date: January 1, 2027.
- Primary Goal: Reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and combat addictive app design.
- Enforcement: Mandatory installation of a restriction app by parents/guardians.
- Legislative Timeline: To be discussed in parliament during the summer of 2026.
The next critical step for this legislation will be its presentation and debate in the Greek parliament during the summer of 2026. This process will determine the final legal framework before the ban takes effect in January 2027.
Do you believe government-mandated bans are the right way to protect children’s mental health, or should the responsibility lie solely with parents? Share your thoughts in the comments below.