One more EU country set to ban social media for children
Illustrative photo (freepik.com)
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Athens aims not only to pass its own law but also to encourage similar measures across the European Union, according to Reuters.
According to Mitsotakis, the government is acting in response to rising anxiety among children, sleep problems, and the design of online platforms that encourage addictive behavior.
Mitsotakis emphasized that Greece will be among the first countries to implement such a ban, but does not want to remain an exception. Athens aims to push the EU in the same direction.
In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Mitsotakis proposed introducing a digital age of majority at 15 across the EU, making age verification mandatory for platforms, and establishing a coordinated system of enforcement and sanctions by the end of 2026. Greek authorities argue that without an EU-wide legislative framework, national measures would be largely ineffective.
According to Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou, the Greek parliament is expected to adopt the law by mid-2026. From January 1, 2027, platforms must have the technical ability to restrict children’s access, or face fines under the EU Digital Services Act of up to 6% of global turnover.
The government has already banned mobile phone use in schools and launched parental control platforms to limit screen time for teenagers. An ALCO survey released in February showed that about 80% of respondents support a social media ban for children under 15.
Social media restrictions for children
Australia became the first country in the world to introduce a nationwide ban on social media use for children under 16 in December 2025.
By early January 2026, Meta reported blocking nearly 550,000 accounts in Australia following the new rules.
In March, Indonesia also introduced nationwide restrictions for children under 16 on social media.
Meanwhile, Slovenia, Poland, Austria, and France are still in the stage of drafting laws or parliamentary consideration.
