Greece Announces Ban on Social Media for Children Under 15
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced plans to ban social media access for children under the age of 15, effective January 2027. Citing rising youth anxiety, sleep disturbances, and the addictive design of online platforms, the legislation aims to protect minors from psychological harm. This move aligns Greece with similar initiatives in Australia, France, and Spain, reflecting a broader European trend toward stricter digital safety regulations. The government seeks to pressure the EU into establishing bloc-wide age restrictions, with penalties for non-compliant tech companies reaching up to 6% of global turnover.
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Greece Unveils Plan to Ban Social Media for Minors Under 15
Greece has announced plans to implement a total ban on social media usage for children under the age of 15, becoming one of the latest European Union nations to take such measures. The legislation targets platforms allowing profile creation and content sharing, such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Once enacted, these platforms will be required to reverify user ages within Greece to exclude minors. The Greek government aims to pressure the EU into establishing formal, bloc-wide age restrictions. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated the move is designed to protect youth from the addictive design of platforms that cause stress, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Penalties for non-compliance include fines up to 6% of global turnover or operational restrictions. The law is expected to be introduced this summer and enforced starting January 1st, following a similar initiative by France.
AP NewsGreece to Ban Social Media Access for Under-15s Starting in 2027
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a new legislative measure prohibiting children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms, effective January 1, 2027. The decision aims to mitigate rising mental health issues among youth, including anxiety and sleep disturbances, which are exacerbated by the addictive design of online algorithms. This policy has garnered significant public support, with an ALCO opinion poll indicating that approximately 80% of respondents favor the ban. While the full text of the original article was inaccessible due to a security restriction on the source page, the announcement highlights Greece's proactive approach to digital safety and child protection within the European Union context.
France 24 - International breaking news, top stories and headlinesGreece Plans to Block Social Media Access for Children Under 15
Greece is moving forward with plans to restrict social media access for children under the age of 15, joining a growing international trend of digital safety regulations. This legislative initiative aligns Greece with other nations such as Australia and Spain, which have already implemented or are actively developing similar bans aimed at protecting teenagers from online risks. The proposed measure reflects increasing global concern regarding the impact of social platforms on youth mental health and safety. By setting a strict age threshold, Greek authorities intend to create a safer digital environment while balancing freedom of expression. As part of broader European efforts to regulate tech giants, this policy underscores a shift towards proactive government intervention in the digital space. The announcement has sparked discussions among policymakers, parents, and technology advocates about the effectiveness and enforcement challenges of such age-based restrictions.
NYT > World NewsGreece Announces Social Media Ban for Under-15s Citing Mental Health Concerns
Greece has proposed a ban on social media access for children under the age of 15, set to take effect on January 1st pending parliamentary approval. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis cited rising anxiety, sleep deprivation, and the addictive design of online platforms as primary drivers for this legislation. The measure aims to protect minors from cyberbullying and excessive screen time, with teachers reporting severe impacts on classroom performance. Greece is joining a growing trend in Europe, following similar moves by France and Australia, while Spain, Denmark, Poland, and Malaysia consider comparable laws. A recent survey indicates overwhelming public support in Greece and across several European nations, though skepticism remains regarding the practical effectiveness of such bans. The Greek parliament, controlled by Mitsotakis's New Democracy party, is expected to vote on the proposal this summer.
The GuardianGreece Announces Ban on Social Media for Under-15s Starting Next Year
Greece has officially announced plans to ban access to social media platforms for children under the age of 15, with the restriction set to take effect in January of next year. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that the measure aims to combat rising anxiety, sleep disturbances, and the 'addictive design' inherent in many social media applications. This decision aligns Greece with other European nations like France, Spain, and Austria, as well as Australia, which recently implemented similar laws. While the government acknowledges the difficulty of enforcement, it emphasizes the necessity of protecting minors from mental health harms caused by constant online pressure. Mitsotakis also called for a unified European framework involving mandatory age verification and periodic re-checks. Conversely, social media companies argue that blanket bans are ineffective and difficult to enforce, with some already challenging such legislation in court.
BBC NewsGreece Announces Ban on Social Media for Under-15s
Greece has announced plans to ban social media usage for children under the age of 15, effective from next year. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis revealed the decision in a TikTok video, citing concerns over excessive screen time and the psychological pressure children face when comparing themselves to others online. This move aligns Greece with a growing global trend of nations implementing digital restrictions to protect minors from harmful content. The policy follows Australia's recent enactment of a similar ban for users under 16, which sparked legal challenges from platforms like Reddit. While the Greek government views this as a necessary step to safeguard youth mental health, the implementation details and potential impact on tech companies remain to be seen.
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