Greece to Ban Social Media for Under 15s: A Controversial Move by PM Mitsotakis

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently took to TikTok to communicate a significant policy change: Greece will impose a ban on social media access for children and teenagers under the age of 15 starting January 1, 2027. In a heartfelt video directed at the youth, Mitsotakis acknowledged that the decision may upset many young people, suggesting that if he were their age, he might feel the same way. However, he emphasized the necessity of this measure citing health concerns. Mitsotakis pointed out the addictive nature of several social media platforms, stating that their design is intended to capture attention and encourage lengthy screen time, ultimately detracting from the innocence and freedom enjoyed by young users. "The profit model based on your attention must end at some point," he declared. This initiative has gained traction among several European Union countries like France, Portugal, and Spain, who are considering similar restrictions on social media use by young people. Notably, Australia has already been a pioneer in this realm, becoming the first country to ban social media access for those under 16, and the UK government is also contemplating introducing limitations. Mitsotakis believes that Greece will lead the charge in the EU towards these restrictions, expressing confidence that it won't be the last country to adopt such measures. He aims to influence the European Union to take a unified stance on this issue. The thought of these bans has raised concerns among US officials and major technology firms that dominate the social media landscape. In his message, Mitsotakis encouraged young Greeks to engage in discussions about the implications of social media on mental health and well-being. "If something makes us feel more stressed or worse than we truly are, perhaps it’s worth putting on the brakes,” he advised. While stressing that the goal is not to isolate young people from technology altogether, which can serve as a source of inspiration, knowledge, and creativity, he reiterated the importance of considering the balance between technology use and mental health. Mitsotakis concluded that science clearly indicates that prolonged screen time can be detrimental to children's mental well-being, underscoring the urgent need for responsible usage. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3