Greece is set to implement age-based restrictions on social media to safeguard minors under 15 from digital addiction. This initiative mirrors successful strategies from Australia and France, where age-verification methods have effectively reduced overexposure among young users.
The government's plan mandates platforms to enforce age checks, with parental consent for users under 15. Supported by a scientific committee led by Professor Vasiliki Artinopoulou, the proposal includes launching awareness campaigns, providing parents with screen time management tools, and modifying algorithms to protect minors from harmful content.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted the urgency of the issue in a UN address, referencing Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation” to emphasize the psychological impact of excessive screen time on children.
Greece aims to collaborate at the European level to establish an EU-wide digital maturity age of 15. Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou advocated this initiative at a recent EU Telecommunications Council meeting, underscoring the importance of collective action to compel tech companies to adopt effective age-verification measures.
The government plans a dual-focused public outreach campaign: educating parents on screen time limitations and encouraging responsible social media use among teens through influencers and targeted media ads.
Experts acknowledge potential technical challenges in enforcing these restrictions, yet officials are optimistic about achieving compliance through EU-wide efforts.
This initiative complements broader measures to enhance youth well-being in Greece, including anti-bullying platforms, violence hotlines, and stricter in-school phone policies.
With a final proposal expected soon, Greece is on track to lead efforts in protecting children from digital overexposure hazards.
Australia is the latest nation to introduce restrictions, but evidence about their effectiveness remains limited. A year from now, children under the age of 16 in Australia will be barred from many social media platforms, imposing the highest minimum-age limit in the world. This development adds a global perspective to Greece's efforts, providing an opportunity to observe the impact of such measures as both countries strive to protect their youth from digital overexposure.