Greece will prohibit children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms starting January 1, 2027, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Wednesday.

Mitsotakis disclosed the decision in a video shared on TikTok, describing the move as a “difficult but necessary” step to address concerns over the impact of digital platforms on young users.

He said Greece is among the first countries globally to introduce such a restriction and indicated plans to push for similar measures across the European Union.

According to the prime minister, the announcement was made on social media to directly reach young people, acknowledging that the policy may face resistance from its target audience.

He explained that the measure is not intended to limit children’s exposure to technology but to tackle excessive use of certain applications, which he said could negatively affect their development and well-being.

Mitsotakis cited scientific evidence suggesting that prolonged screen time can hinder children’s cognitive rest and overall mental health.

The decision places Greece among a growing number of countries adopting stricter controls on minors’ social media use.

In December, Australia introduced regulations requiring platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat to remove accounts held by users under 16 or face penalties.

Similarly, Indonesia began enforcing a ban on social media use for individuals under 16 in March and has taken action against companies including Google and Meta for non-compliance.

In Austria, authorities recently announced plans to introduce legislation banning social media access for children under 14, with proposals expected in the coming months

Other European countries, including Spain and Denmark, have also indicated intentions to establish a minimum age requirement for social media use.