Greece has taken a major step towards restricting social media access for children under the age of 15, with legislation formally tabled in Parliament.
The bill, titled Prohibition of the Use of Online Social Networking Services by Minors, was submitted to Parliament on Friday, October 9, and is scheduled for review by the relevant parliamentary committee on Tuesday, October 13.
The proposed legislation sets 15 as the minimum age for accessing online social networking services, with the government describing the measure as a preventative step to protect children’s health, development and safety.
According to the bill’s explanatory report, the widespread use of social media among younger children has raised concerns about their exposure to platforms designed to maximise engagement and time spent online.
These platforms rely on personalised recommendations, continuous content feeds and other mechanisms intended to maintain users’ attention, potentially increasing the risk of problematic or addictive usage patterns.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has previously backed the age restriction, arguing that children must be protected from addictive behaviours that keep them glued to their phone screens.
The proposed legislation follows Australia’s world-first move to restrict social media access for children under 16, with the nationwide ban taking effect on December 10, 2025.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has since defended the restrictions, saying “Social media is doing harm to our kids and I’m calling time on it.”
Mr Albanese has also previously expressed hope that the ban would encourage children to spend more time outdoors and playing with their friends.
Source: amna.gr
