Greece to Ban Social Media for Under-15s from 2027, Calls on EU Action

In a significant move to protect young people’s mental health and well-being, Greece has announced plans to ban access to social media for children under the age of 15 starting January 1, 2027. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made the announcement on April 8, citing concerns over rising anxiety, sleep disruptions, and the addictive nature of online platforms as primary reasons for the decision.
The Greek government’s initiative aligns with growing global apprehension about the impact of social media on youth. An opinion poll conducted by ALCO in February revealed that approximately 80% of respondents supported such a ban, reflecting widespread public backing. Greece has already taken steps to regulate digital consumption, including banning mobile phones in schools and establishing parental control platforms aimed at limiting teenagers’ screen time.

Mitsotakis emphasized Greece’s pioneering role in this area, stating, “Greece will be among the first countries to take such an initiative,” adding that he had consulted with parents prior to the decision. He also called on the European Union to follow suit, emphasizing the need for coordinated action at the regional level. “Our goal is to push the EU in this direction as well,” he said in a video message.
The move follows Australia’s lead, where in December, the country became the first to ban social media for users under 16, restricting access to apps like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such bans, arguing that they may not adequately protect young users but committed to complying with national regulations.
While Greece cannot yet enforce strict age verification on social media platforms, it recommends that platforms adopt mechanisms already established by the EU and Greece. The government urges parents to play an active role in monitoring their children’s online activity. From 2027, platforms will be required to implement age-restriction measures or face hefty fines under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA). According to Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou, fines could reach up to 6% of a platform’s global revenue.

Greece’s parliament is set to formalize the ban in mid-2026. Several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Malaysia, France, Denmark, and Poland, are considering or implementing similar regulations. In a separate letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Mitsotakis called for a unified EU approach, proposing a “digital age of majority” at 15, along with standardized age verification, enforcement, and penalties across member states. He argued that national measures alone would be insufficient to address the challenge of internet addiction among minors.

EU officials, such as State Minister Akis Skertsos, underscored the importance of a cohesive legislative framework. “Unless we have an EU legislative framework… national legislation alone will be ineffective,” he stated, highlighting the need for coordinated action to safeguard children in the digital age.