Greece will ban access to social media for children under 15 from 1 January 2027, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday, citing rising anxiety, sleep problems and the addictive design of online platforms.
An opinion poll by ALCO published in February showed about 80% of respondents supported the ban. The Greek government has already outlawed mobile phones in schools and introduced parental control platforms to limit teenagers' screen time.
"Greece will be among the first countries to take such an initiative," Mitsotakis said in a video message, adding that he had spoken with parents before making the decision. "I am certain, however, that it will not be the last. Our goal is to push the European Union in this direction as well."
Australia became the world’s first country to ban social media for children under 16 in December, blocking access to platforms including TikTok, Alphabet’s GOOGL.O YouTube, and Meta’s META.O Instagram and Facebook.
Meta, Snapchat and TikTok have said they continue to believe Australia’s ban will not protect young people, but have committed to complying with it.
Greece cannot yet require social media platforms to verify users’ ages, but it recommends that companies use mechanisms already established by the EU and Greece, the government said, urging parents to assist in the effort.
From 1 January 2027, platforms will need to be able to restrict underage users or face fines under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), which can reach up to 6% of global turnover, Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou said.
Greece’s parliament will legislate the ban in mid-2026. Other countries are also tightening rules on social media, with the United Kingdom, Malaysia, France, Denmark and Poland either considering bans or in the process of introducing legislation.
Writing separately to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Mitsotakis called for coordinated European Union action, arguing that national measures alone would not be sufficient to protect minors from internet addiction.
In the letter, he proposed establishing an EU-wide "digital age of majority" at 15, mandating age verification and regular re-verification for all platforms, and creating a harmonised enforcement and penalty framework. He urged the bloc to implement a unified system by the end of 2026.
EU countries do not have Australia’s flexibility on the matter, State Minister Akis Skertsos said during a joint press conference.
"National legislation is linked and influenced to a large extent by EU legislation," he said. "Unless we have an EU legislative framework...national legislation alone will be ineffective."
The U.S. has imposed new Iran-related sanctions targeting a key financier linked to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and 13 other individuals...
Temperatures above 40°C are scorching parts of Central Asia, prompting the World Health Organization to warn that extreme heat is becoming an increas...
China's technology sector is producing billion-dollar startups at its fastest pace in nearly five years, with artificial intelligence and robotics dri...
Wildfires are continuing to burn across southern Europe, forcing people from their homes, damaging property and stretching emergency services as high temperatures and dry conditions create ideal conditions for fast-moving fires.
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck southwest of Greece’s island of Crete on Saturday, with no immediate reports of damage.
Just one week after a similar move by Australia, Greece announced that it will ban access to social media for children under the age of 15 from January 1, 2027, as governments around the world weigh tougher rules amid growing concerns over mental health, safety and screen addiction.
Israel has deported two foreign nationals after an inquiry into their involvement in a Gaza‑bound flotilla. Israeli authorities have previously detained over 100 activists, accusing them of attempting to breach the naval blockade on Gaza, allegations many of those involved have denied.
It has been a punishing week for large parts of China, and forecasters warn the worst may not be over. After Typhoon Maysak left a trail of destruction and at least 23 people dead, Super Typhoon Bavi is now threatening the country's eastern coast.
At least 12 people have been killed in forest fires in Almeria in southern Spain, Andalucía’s emergency agency has said, as firefighters continue efforts to put out the blaze.
The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes has risen to 3,811, according to figures released by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez on Wednesday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington has agreed to resume talks with Iran after Tehran requested further negotiations, but declared that last month's ceasefire between the two countries was "over".
The U.S. military said on Wednesday it launched fresh strikes on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping, triggering Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain in the latest escalation to derail efforts to end the war.
China's technology sector is producing billion-dollar startups at its fastest pace in nearly five years, with artificial intelligence and robotics driving a new wave of investment that is reshaping the country's innovation economy.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged China and North Korea to strengthen cooperation and maintain "strategic resolve" amid what he described as growing global instability. He made the remarks during talks with North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song in Beijing on Friday.
British police have arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe, a former government minister whose death was announced on Friday.
Andy Burnham is on the brink of becoming Labour leader and prime minister after securing the overwhelming backing of Labour MPs in the first round of leadership nominations.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment