Greece to ban social media for under-15s from next year
Greece Bans Social Media for Under-15s. Another Country Tries Digital Parenting.
What Happened
Greece announced it will prohibit social media access for children under 15 starting next year. The ban is part of broader efforts to protect young people from digital harms and excessive screen time.
Historical Context
Australia passed similar legislation in 2024 banning social media for under-16s. China has restricted gaming hours for minors since 2021. South Korea, France, and several US states have proposed or enacted various digital age restrictions. The pattern: governments worldwide are grappling with youth screen time, but enforcement remains challenging. Previous bans on digital activities (like China's gaming restrictions) show mixed results - usage drops initially but often finds workarounds.
What's In Your Control
If you're a parent: You already control your child's device access regardless of government rules. If you're under 15 in Greece: This law exists, but your actual digital habits remain largely up to your family's choices. If you're elsewhere: Whether to support similar legislation in your country through voting or advocacy.
Does This Require Action?
Unless you live in Greece or are actively involved in digital policy advocacy: awareness only. Parents everywhere already face these same choices daily, with or without government mandates.
Source: BBC
