Mitsotakis announces Social Media ban for children under 15 with “6–7” reference

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced a planned ban on social media access for minors under 15.

Ironically, the announcement was made via TikTok — one of the most popular platforms among younger audiences — and included a reference to “6–7”, a joke that spread widely among children through social media.

The regulation banning access to social media for children under 15 will be voted on in the summer and will come into force in 2027.

The Prime Minister noted that in recent years he has spoken with many parents, all of whom say their children do not sleep well, become easily anxious, and are constantly on their phones. He also referred to conversations with children who describe how exhausting it is to deal with comparisons, comments, and the pressure to always be “present” online.

He emphasized that “science is clear: when a child spends hours in front of a screen, the mind does not rest,” describing the initiative as “difficult but necessary.”

Mr. Mitsotakis stated that the relevant legislation will be passed in the summer of 2026 and will take effect on January 1, 2027.

He noted that Greece will be among the first countries to take such an initiative, but expressed confidence that it will not be the last, announcing that the issue will also be discussed at the EU level.

“If I were your age, I would be angry too”

“I am sure that the younger ones will now be upset with us. If I were your age, I would feel the same way. But our role is not to be liked,” the Prime Minister said.

He urged children and younger teenagers to discuss the issue with their friends. “If something makes us feel anxious, worse, less good than we are, then perhaps it is worth putting a limit on it,” he added.

“Our goal is not to distance you from technology, which can be a source of inspiration, creativity, and knowledge,” Mr. Mitsotakis also said, addressing children and young people under 15.

“However, the addictive design of certain applications, the profit model based on your attention — on how much time you spend in front of your phone — deprives you of both innocence and freedom, and at some point this must stop,” he added.

Addressing parents, he stressed that no law can replace their presence, and that this regulation is simply a tool, which he believes will be positively evaluated in a few years.

Mitsotakis’ Letter to von der Leyen: A Unified European Framework for Minors and Digital Addiction

Mr. Mitsotakis also sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, calling for a unified European framework by the end of 2026 to complement and strengthen national initiatives aimed at protecting minors from digital addiction. In the letter, the Prime Minister outlines specific proposals to the Commission President.

The letter reads as follows:

“Dear Ursula,

I am writing to you regarding an issue of intergenerational responsibility that requires collective action at the European level — an issue I know concerns you deeply, not only in your capacity as President of the European Commission, but also as a mother: the protection of minors from digital addiction.

Today, Greece announced its intention to introduce national legislation establishing a minimum age requirement for access to social media, to take effect on January 1, 2027. However, national action alone is not sufficient. A unified European framework is required by the end of 2026, which will complement and strengthen the necessary national initiatives to protect minors.

We agree that Europe must carefully choose its regulatory battles. I am convinced that this is one of them. What is required now is a coordinated and swift response.

Under your leadership, we have advanced the European Strategy for a Better Internet for Children (BIK+), focusing on safer digital experiences and user empowerment, while the Digital Services Act (DSA) — our landmark legislation — has introduced stronger accountability and transparency requirements for Very Large Online Platforms.

Although these initiatives set a global benchmark, further action is needed. I know we share the view that Europe must act wisely in setting its regulatory priorities. I am convinced this is a battle worth fighting decisively.

Given that national action alone is not enough, I would like to propose:

• Expanding the European age verification pilot into a fully harmonized, pan-European framework to ensure uniform implementation across all member states by the end of the year.
• Making the use of this standardized age verification mechanism mandatory for all platforms serving users under 15, eliminating regulatory fragmentation.
• Establishing a European “digital age of majority” at 15, introducing an EU-wide ban on social media access for users below this threshold.
• Requiring platforms to conduct age re-verification every six months to ensure ongoing compliance and prevent circumvention of restrictions.
• Creating a streamlined EU-level coordination and enforcement mechanism, enabling member states and the European Commission to jointly assess cases and accelerate sanctions against non-compliant companies.

Our national initiative can serve as a model for this broader European solution. “KidsWallet” is an innovative state-issued application that allows parents to set clear limits on app usage, while also establishing a secure and reliable age verification process, ensuring that children are only exposed to age-appropriate content. It is already interoperable with the European age verification mechanism.

These indicative initiatives form only part of a broader European strategy, as we approach this issue not merely as a matter of policy, but as a moral responsibility towards the next generation.

I hope you find value in these proposals and remain at your disposal for a more detailed exchange of views.

Sincerely,
Kyriakos Mitsotakis”