Athens: Greece has unveiled a new policy prohibiting children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, set to take effect on January 1, 2027. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the decision through a video posted on TikTok, addressing the nation's youth directly. He emphasized that the move aims to shield children from potential mental health concerns, including anxiety, insomnia, and the addictive nature of endless scrolling on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. The policy, however, will not apply to messaging and video services such as WhatsApp, Messenger, and YouTube.

According to Thai News Agency, the new legislation requires social media platforms to implement age verification systems. Non-compliance could lead to penalties under Europe's Digital Services Act, with fines reaching up to 6% of the company's global revenue. Additionally, Greece has proposed to the President of the European Commission the establishment of a "Digital Age of Majority" at 15 years old across the EU by the end of 2026. The Greek parliament is expected to pass supporting legislation mid-year, aligning with a poll from February indicating that about 80% of the population backs this initiative.

This policy positions Greece alongside a broader global movement, with countries like Australia already having implemented a similar ban for those under 16. Other nations, including the United Kingdom, Austria, Spain, Malaysia, France, Denmark, and Poland, are also contemplating comparable restrictions.