Greece has unveiled an ambitious initiative to tackle internet addiction among minors by introducing a national strategy aimed at curbing excessive social media use. As the first step in this plan, the country launched a dedicated website on Monday, offering user-friendly guides and instructions for implementing parental control features.
During an event marking the launch, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the societal responsibility of safeguarding children’s well-being. He expressed skepticism about the practicality of an outright ban on social media, instead highlighting the need for apps to be designed with the needs of children and teenagers in mind.
The Greek government outlined that the strategy seeks to address increasing concerns over children’s overuse of social media and the internet. Its core objectives include enhancing parental controls, implementing age verification measures, and fostering collaboration with social media platforms.
Three-Phase Implementation Plan
The Greek government plans to implement the strategy in three phases, starting with the launch of the first phase on Monday. Next year, it aims to introduce a digital wallet application designed to function as both a parental control tool and an age verification system.
Parental Control Platform: An advanced portal was launched on Monday, providing parents with tools to monitor and manage their children’s online activities effectively.
Kids Wallet System: In the upcoming phase, the government plans to introduce a “kids wallet” system within the next three months. This innovative tool will feature built-in applications and automated age authentication rules to ensure appropriate online access, as reported by the Greek City Times.
International Cooperation: In the subsequent phase, Greece is expected to implement legislative measures in partnership with European counterparts and major tech companies to regulate online content and strengthen protections for minors.
Age of Digital Adulthood
On December 18, during a high-level inter-ministerial meeting on the issue, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reportedly emphasized the importance of defining an age for “digital adulthood,” tentatively set at 15 years.
Greece’s Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, underscored the pressing need to combat internet addiction among the youth. “Our children are growing up in a simulated world. As a government, we must stand by parents. The real issue here is internet addiction, and we must tackle it with decisive action,” he stated, as reported by the Greek City Times.
With this initiative, Greece joins a growing list of countries—including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Australia—that are introducing measures to help young people develop healthier relationships with technology.
