Greece will ban social media access for children under 15 starting January 2027, with the government citing concerns over sleep disruption, stress and excessive screen time.
Greece will ban children under the age of 15 from accessing social media starting January 1, 2027, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced.
In a social media post, Mitsotakis said the decision followed extensive discussions with parents and young people, many of whom expressed concerns over sleep disruption, increased stress and excessive mobile phone use among children.
“The scientific evidence is clear: when children spend long hours in front of screens, the brain does not rest,” he said, adding that the government had decided to proceed with “a difficult but necessary measure.”
According to the prime minister, the relevant regulatory framework will be introduced in the summer of 2026 and will take effect at the beginning of 2027.
Acknowledging that the measure may face opposition from younger generations, Mitsotakis said the government’s role is not always to be “pleasant,” but to act in the public interest.
He also urged young people to reflect on the impact of social media on their well-being.
Visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.
