Greece to ban social media access for children under 15 by 2027

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that access to social media will be banned for children under 15 starting January 1, 2027. The government plans to introduce the legislation in summer 2026 to combat rising anxiety, sleep deprivation, and digital addiction among youth. Unlike Australia's model which places responsibility on platforms, the Greek plan aims to utilize a 'kids wallet' system for mandatory age verification. The government also intends to collaborate with social media platforms and will impose sanctions in cases of non-compliance. An ALCO poll published in February indicated that approximately 80% of respondents support the ban. This initiative follows previous measures such as the prohibition of mobile phones in schools and the implementation of parental control tools. Mitsotakis expressed his intent to encourage the European Union to adopt similar regulations. Countries like Slovenia, Britain, Austria, and Spain are also reportedly developing their own restrictions following Australia’s global lead on the issue.