Greece is moving to implement a sweeping ban on social media for children under 15, signaling a growing global trend of government intervention in the digital lives of minors. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that starting January 1, 2027, access to major platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok will be prohibited for this age group according to reports from Tagesschau.
The decision comes as part of a broader effort to protect young people from the perceived psychological harms of the digital age. Mitsotakis described the move as “something difficult, but necessary,” emphasizing that the state bears a particular responsibility to protect children who are often defenseless against the mechanisms of online platforms as reported by SRF.
This policy shift follows a precedent set by Australia, which became the first country in the world to introduce a social media ban for children under 16 in December 2025 per Zeit Online. With Greece now joining this movement, the debate over a “digital age of consent” is moving from national legislation to the heart of the European Union.
The Drivers Behind Greece’s Social Media Ban
The Greek government’s push for a social media ban for under 15s is rooted in concerns over public health and adolescent development. In a video message addressed to young people, Prime Minister Mitsotakis cited increasing anxiety and sleep problems among teenagers as primary motivations for the restriction via Tagesschau.
Mitsotakis highlighted that children spend excessive hours in front of screens, which prevents their minds from recovering and exposes them to constant pressure through online comments and social comparisons. He specifically criticized the “addictive design” of these platforms, arguing that the structural makeup of social media is intentionally engineered to preserve users engaged at the expense of their well-being per SRF.
Public sentiment within Greece appears to align with the government’s direction. A survey conducted in February indicated that approximately 80 percent of Greeks support a ban on social media for minors according to Zeit Online. This legislation would build upon existing restrictions in the country, where mobile phones are already prohibited in schools.
A Push for a Unified European Framework
Although Greece is moving forward with its own national law, Mitsotakis has argued that individual country measures are insufficient. In a letter addressed to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the Greek Prime Minister called for a coordinated European response to regulate social media for children via Tagesschau.
The Greek proposal suggests the establishment of a EU-wide “digital age of maturity” set at 15 years. The government is advocating for a mandatory age verification process for all platforms to ensure that these restrictions are enforceable per Zeit Online. Mitsotakis has expressed hope that a uniform European framework can be established by the end of 2026 as reported by SRF.
Global Trends in Digital Restrictions
Greece is not alone in its approach to limiting youth access to social media. Several other nations are currently considering or have already implemented similar restrictions to mitigate the impact of digital platforms on minors:
- Australia: Implemented a ban for children under 16 in December 2025.
- Austria: Moving to restrict social media use for children and adolescents under 14.
- Other Nations: Germany, Great Britain, France, and Denmark are reportedly considering similar steps via Zeit Online.
| Country | Age Limit | Status/Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Under 16 | In effect since December 2025 |
| Greece | Under 15 | Planned for January 1, 2027 |
| Austria | Under 14 | Planned restriction |
Challenges and Expectations
The Greek Prime Minister acknowledged that these measures would likely face resistance, particularly from the youth. In his appeal to younger users, Mitsotakis admitted that he might have felt the same frustration at their age, but maintained that his role is not to be “pleasant” but to do what is necessary for their health per SRF.
The effectiveness of the ban will likely depend on the implementation of the mandatory age verification systems requested by the Greek government. Without robust verification, platforms may struggle to prevent under-15s from creating accounts using false birth dates.
The next critical milestone for this initiative is the proposed end-of-2026 deadline for a unified EU framework, followed by the official entry into force of the Greek national law on January 1, 2027.
We invite our readers to share their perspectives on the balance between digital freedom and child protection in the comments below.