PM takes to TikTok to announce planned social media ban on under-15s

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis took to TikTok Wednesday to denote a planned prohibition connected entree to κοινωνικά media by children and teenagers aged under 15, effectual from adjacent year.

Addressing youngsters successful a video, Mitsotakis conceded that the measurement 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, and has been talking astir the κοινωνικά media restrictions for some time.

Several chap European Union members, including France, Portugal and Spain, 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 to present restrictions. 

“Greece will beryllium among the archetypal countries to take such an initiative. but one americium definite it will not beryllium the last,” Mitsotakis said. “We mean to exert unit connected the European Union too successful that direction.”

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

In his code to young Greeks, Mitsotakis urged viewers to “consider and discuss” the contented with their friends. 

“If something makes us consciousness much stressed, worse, little bully than we truly are, then possibly it’s worth putting connected the brakes,” helium said. 

“Our volition is not to region you from technology, which tin beryllium a source of inspiration, of knowledge, of creativity … [But] subject is clear: When a kid spends hours successful beforehand of a surface its caput gets nary rest.”