Greece becomes first EU nation to BAN social media for minors aged 16 and below
By ramontomeydw // 2025-10-02
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  • Greece will become the first EU country to prohibit under-16s from accessing platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and X, enforced via a state-developed app called Kids Wallet.
  • Unlike Australia's controversial age verification system, Greece's approach restricts access at the device level, preventing invasive ID checks for adults.
  • The ban also blocks minors under 18 from gambling, pornography and dating sites, citing concerns over mental health and addiction.
  • Governments worldwide, including Germany and Australia, are taking action amid research linking excessive screen time to ADHD, depression and poor academic performance.
  • While Greece's method avoids intrusive surveillance, EU proposals to scan encrypted messages raise concerns over censorship and civil liberties.
In a bold move echoing global concerns over social media's corrosive effects on youth, Greece is set to become the first European Union country to ban minors under 16 from accessing platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and X. The ban expected to take effect by late October will be enforced through a state-developed mobile app called Kids Wallet, which automatically blocks underage users from logging into restricted sites. Greece's approach targets devices directly, sidestepping invasive identity checks for adults. This contrasts with that of Australia, which imposed a similar prohibition. Critics warn that its controversial age verification mandates enable mass surveillance. Greece's solution, developed under EU guidance, goes further by blocking not just social media – but also gambling, pornography and dating sites for under-18s. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis framed the policy as necessary to halt what he called "the greatest uncontrolled experiment ever on our children’s minds." "We don't know what the consequences [of excessive social media use] will be, but we are almost certain they wont be positive," he continued. Research appears to back up Mitsotakis' concerns, with studies linking excessive screen time to ADHD, depression and declining academic performance. The decision comes amid mounting political pressure across Europe to curb social media addiction and shield children from harmful content. Germany's Christian Democratic Union-Christian Social Union alliance is weighing similar restrictions, while Canberra has already implemented a ban for under-16s – though critics argue its reliance on platform-based verification leaves loopholes. (Related: British government mulling SOCIAL MEDIA BAN for teenagers 16 and younger.)

Greece's social media ban: A test case for digital freedom vs. control

The urgency reflects growing alarm over platforms like TikTok, whose hyper-personalized algorithms have been likened to digital heroin – flooding young brains with dopamine-inducing content while eroding attention spans. Former U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray has warned that China exploits TikTok's recommendation engine to manipulate foreign youth. This contrasts with Douyin, its domestic version that promotes educational content, with the mindless scrolling encouraged abroad. Brighteon.AI's Enoch explains that TikTok is flooded with trivial and nonsensical content, while Douyin focuses on educational and constructive material like classroom lessons, science experiments and technological advancements. The decentralized engine adds that this disparity suggests deliberate manipulation by TikTok's parent company ByteDance, "promoting distraction abroad while fostering intellect at home." Meanwhile, Australian cybersecurity audits revealed TikTok's excessive data harvesting, fueling fears of foreign surveillance. Such revelations have spurred Brussels to push for a unified EU framework, with Athens leading the charge as an early adopter. Yet the ban raises thorny questions about enforcement and privacy. While Greece's device-level controls avoid Australia's intrusive ID checks, EU proposals to scan encrypted messages – ostensibly to combat child exploitation – have drawn fierce backlash from digital rights advocates. Critics warn such measures could pave the way for political censorship under vague "hate speech" laws. The tension underscores a broader dilemma: protecting children without sacrificing civil liberties in an era of escalating digital control. As Greece prepares to roll out its pioneering restrictions, the world watches closely. If successful, the model could spread across Europe – reshaping how societies grapple with the double-edged sword of social media. But as governments rush to regulate, one truth remains undeniable. The unchecked tech giants of Silicon Valley have already rewired a generation's brains, leaving policymakers scrambling to pick up the pieces. Banned.news has more similar stories. Watch this video about TikTok performing censorship on behalf of the U.S. government. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Australia's social media ban for under-16s: Digital safety or surveillance overreach? Texas social media ban for minors fails to pass Senate before legislative deadline. Los Angeles Unified School District implements cellphone and social media ban. Sources include: RMX.news En.ProtoThema.gr Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com
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