PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced that Greece intends to prohibit social media use for children under 15.
This would make Greece the latest European country to move toward limiting young people’s access to online platforms.
The prime minister said the policy is designed to address concerns regarding anxiety and insomnia that has risen among teenagers, as well as the fact that researchers have concurred that many platforms are designed to be addictive.
In a video posted on TikTok, Mitsotakis said many young people report feeling drained by constant comparison as well as the psychological terror of remaining perpetually connected.
Describing the policy as “difficult but necessary,” he explained that the goal is not to cut young people off from technology altogether (noting that digital platforms can offer creativity, knowledge, and inspiration), but particularly condemned the business models built around capturing user attention.
In Greece, the measure is expected to take effect in January 2027.
He added that Greece will advocate for coordinated action at the European level, writing to Ursula von der Leyen to propose a common EU framework. His suggestions include mandatory age verification, a bloc-wide restriction for those under the age of 15, and periodic re-verification of users’ ages.
Technology companies have pushed back, arguing that sweeping bans would not only be likely ineffective but would also leave vulnerable teens isolated.
Reddit, for example, has already launched a legal challenge against Australia’s legislation.
In March, Meta and YouTube were found liable in a landmark U.S. case involving childhood addiction to social media. A jury concluded that the companies had knowingly designed addictive systems that contributed to psychological harm, though both firms have said they will appeal.
Meta responded by arguing that adolescent mental health is complex and cannot be attributed to any single platform. However, this was the moment in which restrictions for teens began to take off: what began as isolated regulatory efforts has rapidly evolved into a coordinated international trend driven by concerns over online safety and the power of tech platforms alike.
Encouraged by Australia, which became the first country to ban social media access for children under 16 at the end of 2025, Europe has become the most active region in this policy shift, with France having already approved a bill banning social media use for children under 15. Spain has proposed a similar ban for those under the age of 16. Denmark, Norway, and Germany are exploring comparable restrictions or stricter parental-consent regimes.
A wider circle of countries, like the United Kingdom, Ireland, Poland, Italy, and Portugal, are actively debating similar laws (in draft).
Beyond Europe, Indonesia and Malaysia have announced plans to ban social media for users under 16, while parts of India are experimenting with regional restrictions.
In the United States, efforts are more fragmented, with individual states introducing age-verification and restriction laws rather than a nationwide ban (as is customary for the country).
More autocratic measures from Turkey, now regarding social media verification
