Greece will prohibit children under 15 from using social media starting January 1, 2027, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced Wednesday, citing screen-induced anxiety, sleep disruption, and addictive platforms.
In a video to Greek children, Mitsotakis highlighted parental concerns over poor sleep, easy anxiety, and social comparison pressures, positioning Greece as an early mover to urge EU-wide action.
Enforcement will use a state app on devices—already blocking underage tobacco and alcohol purchases—to restrict TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Schools have banned mobiles, with parental controls limiting teen screen time.
An ALCO poll showed 80 per cent adult support; Greece’s Safer Internet Centre reports 75 per cent of young users are primary-school age. One mother told Reuters: “Ban them, shut them down. We’ve reached our limits… We parents need help.”
