Greece is preparing to introduce legislation that would ban access to social media platforms for children under the age of 15, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed on Tuesday, signaling a significant escalation in Europe’s efforts to regulate digital platforms and protect minors online.

Speaking at a Bloomberg event in Athens, Mitsotakis said the Greek government would move “within weeks” to table the proposed law, arguing that the impact of social media on young users is both clear and concerning. “The evidence is unambiguous,” he said, warning that “addictive scrolling is damaging to their mental health” and stressing that authorities must act decisively.

The planned measure would place Greece among a growing number of countries tightening restrictions on underage social media use. Within the European Union, France and Portugal have already introduced similar bans, while Spain is preparing its own regulatory framework. Outside Europe, Australia became the first country to ban social media access for users under 16, and the United Kingdom is also considering new restrictions.

Mitsotakis framed the issue as both a public health and ethical challenge, emphasizing that governments must confront the business models of major technology companies. “We need to do something about it,” he said, adding that platforms should not continue to profit from younger audiences. “You’re making enough money. You don’t also need to make money out of our children and our teenagers.”

The proposal is expected to spark debate at both national and international levels, particularly among US officials and major technology firms, which have previously pushed back against sweeping restrictions. However, the Greek government appears confident that public concern over youth mental health and digital addiction will outweigh industry opposition.

If adopted, the legislation would mark one of the most stringent regulatory moves in Europe aimed at limiting minors’ exposure to social media, reinforcing a broader shift toward tighter oversight of digital platforms across global markets.