Mitsotakis Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 15

Greece is acceptable to present a sweeping regularisation connected κοινωνικά media entree for children under the property of 15, successful what officials picture arsenic a landmark determination to support minors successful the integer age.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the measurement done a station connected κοινωνικά media, saying the authorities will instrumentality a “digital cut-off” designed to forestall children from accessing large online platforms.

Concerns implicit children’s intelligence wellness and surface time

In his message, Mitsotakis said the determination followed extended discussions with parents and young people, galore of whom reported issues linked to excessive surface use, including sleep disruption, anxiety, and changeless engagement with mobile devices.

He besides pointed to broader concerns astir κοινωνικά media pressure, such arsenic examination with others, online criticism, and the intelligence strain of maintaining a changeless integer presence.

“The subject is clear,” helium noted, arguing that prolonged surface clip prevents children’s minds from resting properly.

Nationwide regularisation starting successful 2027

The caller regularisation is expected to beryllium introduced successful the summertime of 2026 and travel into unit connected January 1, 2027. It will spot Greece among the archetypal countries to enforce a nationwide age-based prohibition connected κοινωνικά media entree for minors.

According to the government, the inaugural whitethorn besides service arsenic a exemplary for broader European action, with Athens aiming to promote akin policies crossed the European Union.

How the system will work

Details of the implementation are expected to beryllium outlined successful a associated briefing by elder authorities officials, including ministers liable for wellness and integer governance.

Under the planned system, children under 15 will beryllium afloat blocked from accessing κοινωνικά media platforms, adjacent with parental consent. Parents oregon guardians will beryllium required to instal a state-supported application, designed to enforce restrictions crossed devices such arsenic smartphones, tablets, and computers.

The measurement will besides forestall minors from creating oregon maintaining accounts connected κοινωνικά platforms, efficaciously limiting some posting and messaging functions.

Broader online protections for minors

Beyond κοινωνικά media, the projected model includes further safeguards aimed astatine blocking entree to harmful online content. These see restrictions connected gambling sites, tobacco and alcohol-related platforms, dating services, and explicit material.