Greece Bans Social Media for Under-15s

Greece will ban social media access for under-15s starting January 2025, aiming to combat rising anxiety and sleep issues among youth.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the move "difficult but necessary," warning against the "addictive design" of social apps that exploit user attention.

The policy follows similar actions by Australia, France, Austria, and Spain. Social media companies argue such bans are hard to enforce and may isolate vulnerable teens.

Greece also seeks EU-wide standards, including mandatory age verification and biannual checks.

In a related development, Meta and Google face legal challenges after a jury found their platforms contributed to teen mental health issues.

Mitsotakis emphasized that the goal is not to cut off tech but to protect children’s freedom and innocence.