Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Holy Wednesday that children under 15 would be barred from accessing social media from 1 January 2027.
In a video posted online, opening with the viral “6-7” gesture, he said the legislation would be introduced during summer 2026 and Greece would be among the first countries to take the initiative.
“Our aim is to push the EU in this direction too,” he added.
Addressing children, he said:
“Now I am sure many younger people will be angry with me. If I were your age, perhaps I would feel the same. But our role is not to be popular.
“Even if you disagree, I simply want you to think about it and discuss it with your friends. If something makes us feel anxious, worse about ourselves or less capable than we really are, it deserves limits.
“Our aim is not to distance you from technology, which can be a source of inspiration, knowledge and creativity.”
Explaining the measure, he said the addictive design of some applications and a business model based on users' attention and time spent looking at a phone screen, at the expense of their innocence and freedom, had to face limits.
Turning to parents, he said:
“No law can replace your presence. This policy is simply a tool to help you. I honestly believe that in a few years we will all see it as something positive and self-evident.”
A joint press conference on the new framework for minors' social media access was scheduled for 1pm at the Ministry of Digital Governance.
Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence Minister Dimitris Papastergiou, and Minister of State Akis Skertsos were due to take part.
