Greece joins push to ban social media for minors

Greece has banned children under the age of 15 from using social media, becoming one of the latest countries to restrict young people's access to online platforms over fears of addiction and harm to mental health.

Parliament passed the law on Friday after a heated debate that began the previous day. According to Al Jazeera and AFP, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's ruling New Democracy party used its majority to force the bill through, with no other party backing it. The law takes effect on January 1, 2027, and will require age verification on social networks, with harsh penalties for companies that fail to comply.

Mitsotakis had announced the plan in April, taking to TikTok — one of the most popular apps among young people in Greece — to explain what he called a "difficult but necessary" measure.

The opposition socialist PASOK party abstained from the vote. It had sought a softer alternative: an outright ban for under-13s, combined with parental controls for 13- and 14-year-olds.

The ban brings Greece into line with about 20 countries that restrict young people's access to social media apps. Australia, France, Brazil, Indonesia, Austria, Denmark and the UK are among those that have introduced or plan similar restrictions.

Critics of social media say its addictive algorithms glue children to their screens and warn that excessive scrolling can damage their mental health. Such bans have also faced pushback, with questions raised about how they can be enforced and how effective they really are.