Greece Partners with Australia to Limit Minors' Social Media Use; Unveils National Plan

In a significant step to combat internet addiction among youth, Greece has introduced a detailed national strategy to limit minors' excessive use of social media.

Greece, alongside Australia, has launched a comprehensive national plan to address the rising concerns of internet addiction among children. The strategy, revealed on Monday, involves a new website offering easy-to-use guides and parental control options.

A Collective Duty: Greece

At the strategy's launch event, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed the importance of this initiative. He emphasized the collective responsibility to safeguard children's well-being while advising against an outright social media ban.

“The real challenge is in creating apps that serve children's and teenagers' needs,” Mitsotakis said, advocating for moderation over strict limitations.

Core Aims of the Plan

The Greek government's strategy hinges on three main components:

1. Parental Controls: Providing tools and resources for parents to oversee and manage their children's digital interactions.
2. Age Verification: Guaranteeing that children encounter only age-suitable online content.
3. Collaboration with Tech Giants: Working with leading social media firms to enhance content regulation and safety features.

This strategy addresses growing worries about the adverse effects of excessive screen time on children's mental and physical wellness.

Greece’s Three-Step Implementation

The national strategy unfolds in three stages, featuring a series of innovative systems and tools:

Step 1: Unveiling of Parental Control Portal

Greece has launched an advanced platform on Monday that equips parents with resources to monitor and regulate their children’s internet usage. This includes setting boundaries, tracking online behavior, and ensuring secure online exchanges.

Step 2: Introduction of Kids Wallet System

Within three months, the government plans to release a "kids wallet" application. This tool will incorporate automatic age verification and set limits to ensure minors access only appropriate online content.

Step 3: Legislative Initiatives and Global Collaboration

Greece aims to work with European allies and major tech companies to introduce new laws. These initiatives will aim at better content regulation and stronger protections for young internet users.

Defining 'Digital Adulthood'

During an inter-ministerial meeting on December 18, Prime Minister Mitsotakis suggested the concept of “digital adulthood,” tentatively established at 15 years. This framework seeks to guide when minors should independently navigate the digital realm.

Dimitris Papastergiou, Greece’s Minister of Digital Governance, underscored the need to combat internet addiction in children.

“Our children are growing up in a virtual environment,” Papastergiou noted. “We, as a government, must support parents. The core issue is internet addiction, and decisive measures are essential.”

Greece Joins Global Effort

By launching this initiative, Greece aligns with nations like the U.S., France, the U.K., and Australia in promoting healthier tech habits among young people. These efforts reveal a worldwide understanding of the necessity to defend children against the negative impacts of excessive screen time and social media reliance.

Greece’s approach is innovative, emphasizing a balanced and secure digital space for its younger citizens. Through cutting-edge tools, legislation, and international alliances, Greece is committed to helping children cultivate healthier tech relationships.