- Greece bans under-15 social media from January 2027.
- Athens pushes EU-wide digital adulthood age of 15.
What happened
Greece plans to ban children under 15 from using social media platforms from 1 January 2027.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the policy responds to growing evidence of harm to young users. Officials pointed to increased anxiety levels and worsening sleep patterns linked to prolonged platform use.
The government also highlighted strong public support. Surveys cited in the report show around 80% of respondents favour stricter limits on children’s access to social media.
Under the proposal, platforms such as TikTok and Meta’s Instagram must introduce robust age verification systems. Companies that fail to comply could face penalties.
The plan builds on existing measures. Greece has already restricted mobile phone use in schools and promoted parental control tools to limit screen time.
Athens is also seeking EU coordination. It has proposed setting a common “digital adulthood” age of 15 across member states, arguing national rules alone cannot regulate global platforms effectively.
Why it’s important
The proposal signals a shift towards stricter regulation of young users across Europe. Governments are moving from guidance to enforceable limits on platform access.
Greece’s push for a shared age threshold places the issue firmly at EU level. The move may trigger a new round of debate over how to regulate children’s social media use across borders.
This matters because platforms operate globally, while regulation remains fragmented. A coordinated EU response could reshape compliance standards and force companies to redesign age controls and engagement systems.
The focus on anxiety and sleep also reframes the issue as public health. That may strengthen the case for intervention and expand regulatory scope beyond content moderation.
If momentum builds, Greece’s proposal could act as a catalyst for wider European policy alignment on youth digital safety.
Also read: Australia probes tech giants over social media ban
Also read: Austria Moves to Restrict Under-14s Social Media Use
