Greece will prohibit children under the age of 15 from using social media starting next year, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced in a video shared on TikTok.
The decision is part of a broader effort to address concerns around children’s mental health, including anxiety, sleep disruption, and the effects of addictive platform design.
Mitsotakis said the move is aimed at reducing the negative impact of social media on young users. He highlighted issues such as children comparing themselves to others online and being affected by comments, which can influence emotional well-being.
The prime minister added that Greece aims to lead on the issue and encourage similar action across the European Union.
According to Greece’s digital governance minister, Dimitris Papastergiou, social media platforms will be required to verify users’ ages to comply with the new law. Companies that fail to enforce the rules could face penalties under the Digital Services Act.
Parents will also be required to install a government-backed app called Kids Wallet, which can be linked to a child’s device to block access to social media platforms. Authorities are still working out the detailed implementation of these measures.
Greece has already taken steps to limit screen exposure among children, including a ban on mobile phone use in schools introduced in 2024.
The upcoming social media restriction builds on that policy as part of a wider approach to managing digital usage among younger age groups.
Mitsotakis acknowledged that the policy may face resistance from younger users, but surveys suggest strong support among adults.
An opinion poll published by ALCO in February indicated that many citizens back stricter controls on children’s social media use.
Greece joins other countries such as Indonesia, Austria, and Australia, which have introduced similar restrictions.
The United Kingdom is also considering tighter rules for users under 16.
