Greece Joins Global Movement to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced that Greece will prohibit children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, starting January 1, 2027.

In a video shared on TikTok, the Prime Minister framed the decision as a vital intervention to protect the psychological well-being and “innocence” of the younger generation.

The Case for Protection

Mitsotakis emphasized that the policy is designed to address digital addiction rather than limit access to technology. Key points from the announcement include:

• Brain Health: Citing scientific research, the Prime Minister noted that excessive screen time prevents the developing brain from achieving necessary rest.

• Direct Address: He deliberately used social media to speak to those affected, acknowledging potential anger but insisting the measure protects their freedom from addictive algorithms.

• European Leadership: Greece aims to lead by example and intends to lobby the European Union to adopt similar age-based restrictions across the continent.

A Growing International Trend

Greece is part of an escalating global shift toward “digital ages of majority”:

• Australia: Recently became the first to require major platforms to purge accounts of users under 16 or face substantial penalties.

• Indonesia: Commenced enforcement for under-16s in March 2026, already initiating legal pressure against Google and Meta.

• Austria: Planning to introduce a ban for children up to age 14, with legislation expected as early as this summer.

• Spain & Denmark: Both nations have signaled their intention to implement similar digital restrictions.

Compliance Challenges

The move sets the stage for significant enforcement challenges, as nations like Indonesia are already clashing with tech giants over the failure to comply with these new age-verification laws.

As more countries join the movement, the pressure on social media conglomerates to overhaul their access protocols continues to intensify.