Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece will ban children under the age of 15 from accessing social media starting Jan. 1, 2027.

In a social media post, Mitsotakis said the decision followed extensive discussions with parents and young people, many of whom expressed concerns over sleep disruption, increased stress and excessive mobile phone use among children.

“The scientific evidence is clear: when children spend long hours in front of screens, the brain does not rest,” adding that the government had decided to proceed with “a difficult but necessary measure.”

According to the prime minister, the relevant regulatory framework will be introduced in the summer of 2026 and take effect at the beginning of 2027.

Acknowledging that the measure may face opposition from younger generations, Mitsotakis said the government’s role is not always to be “pleasant,” but to act in the public interest.

He urged young people to reflect on the impact of social media on their well-being. (Xinhua/NAN)