Greece to ban social media for under-15s to combat youth anxiety

Greece has announced plans to ban access to social media for individuals under the age of 15, with the restriction set to take effect in January of next year. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that the move aims to address rising anxiety and sleep issues among young people, as well as the "addictive design" of social media platforms. In a video message on TikTok, Mitsotakis remarked, "Many young people tell me they feel exhausted from comparisons, from comments, from the pressure to always be online."

This decision aligns Greece with a growing trend among European nations, including Australia, France, Austria, and Spain, which are implementing similar restrictions. Mitsotakis emphasized that the goal is not to alienate youth from technology but to mitigate the negative impacts of social media. He called the planned restriction "difficult but necessary" and expressed a commitment to advocate for a common EU framework to protect minors, including proposals for mandatory age verification and regular re-checks of users' ages.

The strategic implications of Greece's decision may shift the balance of power in the ongoing debate over social media regulation. By positioning itself as a leader in youth protection, Greece could influence broader European policy, potentially compelling social media companies to adapt their practices across the continent. However, the effectiveness of such bans remains uncertain, as social media companies argue that enforcement will be challenging and may not address the underlying issues of mental health among teenagers. As the debate intensifies, the pressure on social media firms to comply with new regulations may increase, especially in light of recent legal challenges in other countries.

What to watch: Greece's forthcoming regulatory framework details and potential EU-wide initiatives for social media age restrictions.