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Greece will ban social media access for children under the age of 15 starting in January next year. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the policy as a measure to combat rising anxiety, sleep disorders, and the "addictive design" of digital platforms. With this move, Greece joins a growing number of European nations implementing age-based restrictions on social media use.
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 on Wednesday, Mitsotakis said: "Many young people tell me they feel exhausted from comparisons, from comments, from the pressure to always be online."
He said he had spoken with parents who said their children do not sleep well, are anxious and are always on their phones.
Calling the planned restriction "difficult but necessary", he said the government's goal was not to distance young people from technology which "can be a source of inspiration, knowledge and creativity".
Further details of the regulatory framework to enforce the ban will be outlined later on Wednesday.
Mitsotakis also said Greece would push for action at a European level. In a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he called for a common EU framework to "complement and reinforce the necessary national initiatives for the protection of minors".
His proposals include mandatory age verification for under-15s across all platforms, a pan-European ban for that age group, and a requirement for platforms to re-check users' ages every six months.
The debate over children's use of social media has intensified in recent months, triggered by increasing evidence of the damaging effect it can have on mental health.
