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 aims to address growing concerns over children’s mental health, including anxiety, sleep disruption, and the impact of addictive platform designs. Mitsotakis highlighted issues such as online comparison and exposure to harmful comments that can affect emotional well-being.
Under the new rules, social media platforms will be required to verify users’ ages to comply with the law. Companies that fail to enforce these measures may face penalties under the Digital Services Act. Parents will also need to install a government-backed app called Kids Wallet, which links to a child’s device to block access to social media platforms.
Greece has already taken steps to limit screen exposure among children, including a mobile phone ban in schools introduced in 2024. The upcoming restrictions are part of a broader effort to manage digital usage among younger age groups.
While the policy may face resistance from younger users, surveys show strong adult support. An opinion poll by ALCO in February indicated that stricter controls on children’s social media use are widely backed.
Greece joins countries such as Indonesia, Austria, and Australia in introducing similar restrictions, while the United Kingdom is also considering tighter rules for users under 16.
