There Greece accelerates on the digital regulation front and announces one stop social networks for children under 15. The measure, defined by the government as difficult but necessarywill be voted on by the summer and should come into force from 1 January 2027. The prime minister announced it Kyriakos Mitsotakiswho chose a video message aimed specifically at younger people, explaining the desire to intervene on the effects of the intensive use of the platforms.
In the message, the prime minister focused attention on digital addiction, anxiety and excessive use of screensunderlining that the measure aims to limit the impact of social media on growth. The Greek project also aims to lead the way in Europe, with the declared objective of push the European Union towards common rules on the minimum age for access to the platforms.
Mitsotakis’ speech aimed at young people
Mitsotakis expressed the reasons for the provision as follows: by addressing them directly youngthose directly interested:
When a child spends hours in front of a screen, the mind does not rest. I’m sure many of the younger ones will be angry with me now. If I were your age, maybe I would feel the same. But our role, and my role, is not to always be pleasant. And even if you don’t agree today, I just want you to think about it and discuss it with your friends. If something makes us feel more anxious, worse, less valid than we really are, then maybe it’s worth putting the brakes on. Our goal is not to distance you from technology, which can be a source of inspiration, a source of knowledge, a source of creativity.
Then he continued, also speaking to the parents:
The addictive design of some applications, the profit model based on your attention, on how much time you spend in front of the mobile screen, and which ends up limiting your spontaneity and freedom, must stop at some point. And I want to say one thing to parents: no law can replace your presence. This policy is simply a tool to help you. I sincerely believe that in a few years we will all see it as something positive and natural.
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Not just Greece: the debate is spreading to Europe and the world
The Greek plan fits into a increasingly heated international debate on the effects of social media on minors. The theme concerns above all addiction, decreased concentration and impact on mental healthelements that are pushing several governments to consider similar restrictions. Greece, in this scenario, aims to become one of the first European countries to set a clear threshold.
The most significant precedent comes fromAustraliawhich introduced a age limit 16 yearsforcing platforms to remove millions of accounts. Other countries, including Austria, Italy and several European nations, are discussing it prohibitions between 14 and 15 yearswhile the European Commission has started checks on some systems considered potentially risky for younger people.
