Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced Wednesday that his country will prohibit children younger than 15 from using social media platforms, with the restriction taking effect on January 1, 2027. The decision stems from mounting concerns over youth mental health issues, including increased anxiety and sleep disorders linked to excessive screen time.
Speaking directly to young people in a video message, Mitsotakis explained that prolonged screen exposure prevents children’s minds from getting adequate rest while subjecting them to harmful pressures from constant social comparisons and online feedback.
The prime minister revealed that conversations with numerous parents highlighted troubling patterns: their children experience poor sleep quality, heightened anxiety levels, and excessive phone usage throughout the day.
Public support for such measures appears strong, with a February survey conducted by ALCO indicating approximately 80% of respondents favor implementing the ban. Greek officials have previously taken steps to address youth screen time by prohibiting mobile devices in educational settings and establishing parental oversight systems to monitor teenage internet usage.
“Greece will be among the first countries to take such an initiative,” Mitsotakis stated. “I am certain, however, that it will not be the last. Our goal is to push the European Union in this direction as well.”
The Greek initiative follows a growing international trend, with Slovenia, Britain, Austria, and Spain all developing comparable restrictions. Australia led the way last year by becoming the first nation worldwide to implement social media access blocks for children under 16.
