Greece follows Australia in Banning Under-15s from Social Media

Article written by: Christina Timoshkov

Article designed by: Christina Timoshkov & Sanvi Desai

Why is Social Media under scrutiny?

More countries are beginning to restrict social media use among young teenagers. But why? To uncover this, we must understand the explosion of these apps in the 2000s.

Platforms like LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter quickly gained millions of users and reshaped how people connect online. This software introduced new, captivating ideas that got people glued to their devices. LinkedIn allowed for professional networking, connecting with like-minded individuals with similar career aspirations, YouTube allowed for creative expression through videos, and Twitter introduced real-time news and opinion posting with short messages.

As more young people shifted online, social media became a space to keep up with your favorite influencers or share news, and with its easy accessibility, more people than ever are using them. With the increase of social media usage in the younger generation, it isn’t uncommon to hear stories about how issues like cyberbullying, doxxing, and child exploitation have been linked to popular platforms. While digital spaces help people connect, they have also been linked to issues like mental health struggles, comparison, and online harassment. Nations across the globe notice the negative aspects of social media and are actively trying to solve them, which has led some governments to consider restrictions or bans.

Greece’s 2027 Ban

Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that starting on January 1, 2027, children under the age of 15 would be restricted from accessing social media platforms. The ban blocks popular platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. This isn’t Greece’s first attempt to protect teenagers online. The Greek government has already prohibited phones in schools and arranged parental controls to limit screen time. Starting in 2027, platforms must block underage users or face fines. Notable companies in the social media industry, Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok, have argued that banning social media will not effectively protect young people. Despite this, they have complied with the new rules. 

Reasons Behind It

Several factors explain Greece’s decision to restrict social media for those under the age of 15 years old. Some of the main areas of concern for young teenagers being on social media are child safety and the damage multiple hours of screen time can do on children’s brains. In March, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, has faced lawsuits and criticism over claims that its platforms can harm young users This exposure of Meta confirmed to many country leaders the negative side effects of social media. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis mentioned how he has spoken with parents about their unease with social media. Most parents particularly discussed cyberbullying and online addiction as increasing issues in digital spaces.

Global Trend

After Australia became the first country to ban youth from social media, many countries have been following in their footsteps. Greece became one of the first countries in Europe to implement such restrictions. Now, countries such as Spain, France, Austria, and the United Kingdom are considering similar policies. With Greece taking the first major step in Europe, they hope to set an example that pushes the idea to the rest of the European Union on the dangers of social media to the young generation. Kyriakos Mitsotakis has written a letter to the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, urging for a EU-wide policy where age verification is required and enforcement is strict for under-15s by the end of 2026.

Conclusion

As of right now, we don’t know what the future holds for social media regulations. However, with countries like Greece and Australia taking action, it’s clear that concern over young people’s use of digital platforms is growing worldwide. While these restrictions aim to protect teenagers from issues like cyberbullying and addiction, they also raise questions about enforcement and personal freedom. As more governments consider similar policies, the debate will likely continue over whether limiting access is the best solution, or if better education and safer platform design would be more effective in the long term.

Works Cited

1. Reuters. (2026, April 8). Greece to ban social media for under-15s from 2027, PM says. Reuters. Retrieved April 17, 2026, from Reuters

2. Smith, H., & Henley, J. (2026, April 8). Greece announces social media ban for under-15s, citing anxiety and sleep problems. The Guardian. Retrieved April 17, 2026, from The Guardian article

3. Ashar, L. C. (2024, May 2). Social media impact: How social media sites affect society. American Public University. Retrieved April 17, 2026, from American Public University article

4. Hart, W. (2025, August 18). Why do people use social media? Psychology Today. Retrieved April 17, 2026, from Psychology Today article

5. Field, H. (2026, April 8). More countries weigh teen social media bans, but experts warn they're a ‘lazy’ solution. CNBC. Retrieved April 17, 2026, from CNBC article