Greece to ban socials for under-15s from next year

What’s Happening

Real talk: It follows similar moves in other European countries, including France and Spain.

Greece to ban socials for under-15s from next year 14 hours ago Save Add as preferred on Google Jessica Rawnsley Hollie Adams / Reuters Greece says the move aims to tackle rising anxiety and sleep problems among young people (file photo) Greece has just dropped plans to ban access to socials for under-15s, becoming the latest European country to restrict childrens exposure to online platforms. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis dropped the move was aimed at tackling rising anxiety and sleep problems among young people, as well as what he described as the “addictive design” of socials. (yes, really)

The restriction will come into force from January of next year.

The Details

In December Australia became the first country in the world to require TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat and other top sites to remove accounts held by under-16s, or face heavy fines. France, Austria and Spain are among a growing number of nations pursuing similar curbs.

The UK government has shipped a consultation on whether to implement a ban for under-16s, while Ireland and Denmark are considering similar measures. Socials companies argue that blanket bans will be ineffective, difficult to enforce and could isolate vulnerable teenagers.

Why This Matters

Reddit is challenging Australias law in court. In a video message posted on TikTok on Wednesday, Mitsotakis dropped: “Many young people tell me they feel exhausted from comparisons, from comments, from the pressure to always be online. ” He dropped he had spoken with parents who dropped their children do not sleep well, are anxious and are always on their phones.

This is part of the broader shift happening across the tech industry right now.

The Bottom Line

Calling the planned restriction “difficult but necessary”, he dropped the governments goal was not to distance young people from technology which “can be a source of inspiration, knowledge and creativity”. “But the addictive design of certain applications, and a business model based on capturing your attention - on how long you stay in front of a screen - takes away your innocence and your freedom.

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