Greece joins push to ban social media for minors
For context, the Greek parliament has passed a law banning the employ of social media by residents under the age of 15.
For context, the Greek parliament has passed a law banning the employ of social media by residents under the age of 15.
Article outline
- What happened
- Why it matters
- The bottom line
Key points
- Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's party, New Democracy, applied its majority to pass the bill on Friday.
- Greece's new laws will come into effect on January 1 2027.
- The ban brings Greece into line with regarding 20 countries that now restrict access to social media apps for young residents.
- Critics say social networks employ addictive algorithms to glue kids to their screens, and warn excessive scrolling can damage their mental health.
- Bans have additionally faced pushback though, with questions concerning their enforcement and how effective they really are.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's party, New Democracy, applied its majority to pass the bill on Friday. None of the other political parties backed the bill in a heated debate that began on Thursday, despite the fact that a growing group of countries worldwide have introduced restrictions on minors.
Greece's new laws will come into effect on January 1 2027. It will require age verification on social networks and impose harsh penalties should firms fail to comply.
Mitsotakis previously confirmed aims for the ban in April, taking to TikTok, one of the most popular social networks with young individuals in Greece, to explain the "difficult but necessary" measure that his administration planned to take.
After seeking an alternative bill that would have banned social media for under-13s and parental controls for 13- and 14-year-olds, the opposition socialist PASOK party abstained from the vote.
For context, the ban brings Greece into line with regarding 20 countries that now restrict access to social media apps for young residents. Australia, France, Brazil, Indonesia, Austria, Denmark, and the UK are among those that have either introduced or plan similar restrictions.
For now, greece joins push to ban social media for minors remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.
