Greece Joins Global Crackdown: Social Media Ban for Under-15s Set for 2027Greece is the latest nation to announce a sweeping legislative move to ban children under the age of 15 from using social media. The law is scheduled to take effect in January 2027, marking a significant shift in the country's approach to digital safety for minors.
Prioritizing Mental Health and Sleep
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis issued a statement explaining that the law aims to tackle the rising rates of anxiety and sleep deprivation among young people. The government also seeks to prevent social media addiction, which has become a growing concern for parents and educators alike.
While Mitsotakis acknowledged that the decision was difficult, he emphasized its necessity for the well-being of the next generation. He clarified that the government still recognizes the immense value of technology in fostering learning and creativity but believes stricter boundaries are required for social platforms.
A Push for EU-Wide Regulation
Beyond national borders, Mitsotakis intends to propose this legislation as a European Union-wide mandate, seeking to create a unified digital shield for all European youth. Full details regarding enforcement and age verification methods are expected to be released in the coming months.
Greece isn't the first country. In 2025-2026, we've already seen countries like Australia and France pilot similar legislation. Greece's move reflects that this isn't just a temporary trend, but a new global norm that views social media as a "public health risk," similar to past regulations on tobacco and alcohol.
The global focus is on "how to effectively enforce these regulations?" Children often find ways to circumvent them by using VPNs or providing fake ages. Many countries are considering AI age estimation technology (facial scanning for age assessment) or linking it to digital IDs, which will undoubtedly lead to intense debates about privacy.
European academics believe that a simple ban may not be enough. Many suggest that governments should combine this with increasing digital literacy education in schools, teaching children about the mechanics of algorithms and the workings of dopamine in the brain. This would build longer-term resilience more effectively than a simple prohibition.
This law would directly impact the advertising revenue of companies like Meta (Instagram/Threads) and TikTok. Greece's preparations to push this issue to the European Union (EU) may force these tech companies to create "kids-only" versions of their apps that lack time-consuming algorithms or behavioral-tracking ads to comply with stricter regulations.
Amazon Retires Support for 14-Year-Old Kindles What You Need to Know Before May 20.
Source: BBC
Greece Joins Global Crackdown: Social Media Ban for Under-15s Set for 2027Greece is the latest nation to announce a sweeping legislative move to ban children under the age of 15 from using social media. The law is scheduled to take effect in January 2027, marking a significant shift in the country's approach to digital safety for minors.
Prioritizing Mental Health and Sleep
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis issued a statement explaining that the law aims to tackle the rising rates of anxiety and sleep deprivation among young people. The government also seeks to prevent social media addiction, which has become a growing concern for parents and educators alike.
While Mitsotakis acknowledged that the decision was difficult, he emphasized its necessity for the well-being of the next generation. He clarified that the government still recognizes the immense value of technology in fostering learning and creativity but believes stricter boundaries are required for social platforms.
A Push for EU-Wide Regulation
Beyond national borders, Mitsotakis intends to propose this legislation as a European Union-wide mandate, seeking to create a unified digital shield for all European youth. Full details regarding enforcement and age verification methods are expected to be released in the coming months.
Greece isn't the first country. In 2025-2026, we've already seen countries like Australia and France pilot similar legislation. Greece's move reflects that this isn't just a temporary trend, but a new global norm that views social media as a "public health risk," similar to past regulations on tobacco and alcohol.
The global focus is on "how to effectively enforce these regulations?" Children often find ways to circumvent them by using VPNs or providing fake ages. Many countries are considering AI age estimation technology (facial scanning for age assessment) or linking it to digital IDs, which will undoubtedly lead to intense debates about privacy.
European academics believe that a simple ban may not be enough. Many suggest that governments should combine this with increasing digital literacy education in schools, teaching children about the mechanics of algorithms and the workings of dopamine in the brain. This would build longer-term resilience more effectively than a simple prohibition.
This law would directly impact the advertising revenue of companies like Meta (Instagram/Threads) and TikTok. Greece's preparations to push this issue to the European Union (EU) may force these tech companies to create "kids-only" versions of their apps that lack time-consuming algorithms or behavioral-tracking ads to comply with stricter regulations.
Amazon Retires Support for 14-Year-Old Kindles What You Need to Know Before May 20.
Source: BBC
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