Greece to ban social media for under-15s from next year
Greece to Implement Social Media Restrictions for Minors
Greece has unveiled plans to limit social media access for children under 15, marking a significant step in Europe’s growing efforts to regulate online engagement among youth. The initiative, set to take effect in January of next year, aims to address concerns over mental health issues and sleep disturbances linked to digital platform use. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the need to counteract the “addictive design” of social media, which he claims pressures young users to remain constantly connected.
Australia pioneered similar measures in December, requiring platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat to delete accounts of users under 16 or face substantial penalties. France, Austria, and Spain have since joined this trend, while the UK is currently evaluating options for a comparable ban. Ireland and Denmark are also exploring similar strategies, reflecting a broader shift toward safeguarding children’s digital well-being.
Industry Response and Legal Challenges
Social media companies argue that universal restrictions may lack precision, proving hard to enforce and potentially isolating teenagers in need of online support. Reddit, for instance, has contested Australia’s legislation in court. Mitsotakis, in a recent TikTok video, cited testimonies from parents describing how their children suffer from anxiety and poor sleep due to persistent phone usage. “Many young people feel exhausted from comparisons and the pressure to always be online,” he stated, highlighting the emotional toll of constant connectivity.
“But the addictive design of certain applications, and a business model based on capturing your attention, takes away your innocence and your freedom. That has to stop somewhere.”
Further regulatory guidelines will be announced later this week, alongside Greece’s push for a unified European framework. Mitsotakis proposed mandatory age verification systems, a continent-wide ban for children under 15, and periodic age checks every six months. These measures are intended to complement national efforts, as outlined in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Global Shift in Digital Regulation
The debate over children’s social media use has gained momentum, fueled by mounting evidence of its impact on mental health. A landmark U.S. case in March found Meta and YouTube liable for a woman’s childhood addiction, with jurors concluding that the companies had deliberately engineered platforms to maximize user engagement. Meta and Google have since expressed disagreement, vowing to appeal the verdict. Meta stressed that “teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app,” while acknowledging the need for ongoing scrutiny.
