Greece urges EU-wide ban on under-15s using social media

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has projected concerted enactment crossed the 27 European Union countries to follow a uniform prohibition connected children under 15 accessing κοινωνικά media platforms and standardize online age-verification tools by 2027.

In a missive to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Wednesday, the time helium announced plans for a nationalist ban effectual January 2027, Mitsotakis argued that while protecting minors from nett addiction mightiness beryllium a tough regulatory battle, it was worth fighting. 

“National enactment unsocial will not suffice,” helium wrote, according to a transcript released by his office. “A unified European model indispensable beryllium successful spot by the extremity of 2026 successful bid to complement and strengthen indispensable nationalist initiatives for the extortion of minors.”

Several chap European Union members are readying akin enactment to restrict young radical from utilizing κοινωνικά media. Outside the EU, Australia was the archetypal state to prohibition under-16s from κοινωνικά media platforms, while Britain’s authorities is besides readying restrictions.  

The imaginable of bans has angered US officials and America’s almighty large technology firms that power κοινωνικά media.  

Calling for a “coordinated and swift response,” Mitsotakis added: “Sharing your view that Europe indispensable take its regulatory battles wisely, I americium convinced this is 1 to beryllium waged with dedication.”

Mitsotakis said the EU should acceptable 15 arsenic the integer property of majority, beneath which users would not beryllium allowed to use κοινωνικά media.

His proposals included a afloat harmonized EU-wide property verification model to beryllium implemented by the extremity of 2026, and forcing κοινωνικά media platforms serving users aged under 15 to use that mechanics – with biannual property verification updates. 

Mitsotakis besides called for “a streamlined EU-level coordination and enforcement mechanism, enabling Member States and the European Commission to jointly measure incidents and accelerate the imposition of penalties for non-compliant companies.”

Addressing Greek youngsters successful a TikTok video earlier Wednesday, Mitsotakis conceded that the prohibition mightiness look unfair, but insisted that it was indispensable connected wellness grounds.

“I americium definite that galore of you who are younger will beryllium aggravated with me. If I were your property I mightiness person felt the same,” helium said. “But the addictive plan of some apps, the nett exemplary that’s based connected your attraction – connected however agelong you spend successful beforehand of your mobile telephone surface – and takes distant some of your innocence and freedom, indispensable extremity astatine some point.”

He said the proposals will beryllium tabled successful Parliament successful the summer, with a view to coming into effect connected January 1, 2027.

Mitsotakis’ blimpish authorities has already banned use of mobile phones astatine superior and secondary schools.