Greece to ban social media use for under-15s from 2027

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday announced a ban on access to social media for children under 15, effective from Jan. 1, 2027.

In a TikTok video, Mitsotakis said: “The addictive design of some apps, the profit model that’s based on your attention — on how long you spend in front of your mobile phone screen — which takes away some of your innocence and freedom, must end at some point.”

“Our intention is not to remove you from technology, which can be a source of inspiration, knowledge and creativity. (But) science is clear: When a child spends hours in front of a screen, its mind gets no rest,” he noted.

The public broadcaster ERT reported that Mitsotakis sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, calling for an EU-wide framework on access to social media and the internet for children under 15.

Referring to his own announcement earlier on Wednesday, he stressed: “However, national action alone is not enough. A single European framework is needed by the end of 2026, which will complement and reinforce the necessary national initiatives for the protection of minors.”

Mitsotakis also proposed establishing a European “digital age threshold” at 15 and a bloc-wide ban on social media access for younger users. He said platforms should verify ages every six months to prevent circumvention.

Mitsotakis also called for a simplified EU enforcement mechanism to help member states and the European Commission assess incidents and impose sanctions more quickly.