Government cites child safety concerns and pushes for EU wide rules.

Greece will ban access to social media for children under 15 starting January 1, 2027, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday, as concerns grow over the impact of online platforms on young users.

Mitsotakis said he chose social media to deliver the message directly to young people, acknowledging some would be upset. He stressed the aim is not to block access to technology but to address addiction to certain applications that can harm children’s development and freedom.

He added that excessive screen time prevents proper brain rest, citing scientific evidence.

In a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, Mitsotakis called for a unified European framework by the end of 2026, including a digital age of majority set at 15 and regular age verification by platforms.

Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said the ban would apply to children born from 2012 onwards and target platforms known for endless scrolling such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Messaging and video platforms including Messenger, WhatsApp, Viber and YouTube will not be affected.

Authorities said the list of restricted platforms may expand if similar services emerge, and companies will be required to verify users’ ages. The government emphasized that responsibility should lie with platforms rather than children.

Other countries are also tightening rules. Australia recently introduced laws requiring platforms to remove accounts held by under 16s or face fines, though enforcement has faced challenges.

CBI News reports that Indonesia has begun enforcing a similar ban for under 16s, while Austria plans to restrict access for children up to 14.

Spain and Denmark have also signaled plans to introduce a digital age of majority for social networks.