On Wednesday, PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced in a TikTok video that Greece will ban children under 15 from using social media platforms, effective 1 January 2027. Enforcement will be through a state-mandated app on all devices. A February poll indicated around 80% of Greeks are in favor of the measure.
The legal framework is due by mid-2026. The ban, which overrides parental consent, will be enforced with a state app, giving it technical backing rather than just regulatory measures. It also covers online gambling, alcohol and tobacco promotion, and explicit content. Mitsotakis stated the goal is not to distance youth from technology but to tackle addiction that harms their innocence and freedom.
The plan has been developing for weeks. In March, Mitsotakis cited at a Bloomberg event in Athens the clear evidence that addictive scrolling harms mental health. The TikTok video on Wednesday confirmed the decision and the implementation timeline. The Greek government had previously prohibited mobile phones in schools and established parental control platforms to limit screen time for teenagers.
A February poll by ALCO showed about 80% support for the ban among Greeks. Greece, joining a few countries with formal laws on child social media access, follows Australia’s 2025 ban for children under 16. Slovenia, Britain, Austria, and Spain are working on similar laws. Mitsotakis positions Greece’s move as a push for a shift in EU policy, aiming to lead and inspire other nations.