Greece will prohibit children under 15 from using social media starting next year.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Wednesday that the ban will take effect on 1 January 2027.

In a video address to Greek children, the prime minister said extended screen time prevents their minds from properly resting and exposes them to increasing pressure from constant comparisons and online comments on social media.

“Greece will be among the first countries to take such an initiative,” Mr Mitsotakis said.

“I am certain, however, that it will not be the last. Our ⁠goal is to push the European Union in this direction as well.”

From the beginning of next year, social media platforms must have systems in place to restrict underage users or risk fines of up to 6 per cent of their global turnover, Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou said.

Greece’s parliament is expected to pass the legislation formalising the ban in mid-2026.

Public backing for the move is strong, with 80 per cent of adults supporting the restrictions, according to polling by ALCO.

Unlike in the UK, phones are already banned in Greek schools, and the government has introduced parental control platforms to help limit teenagers’ screen time.