Athens: The Greek government has launched a comprehensive national strategy aimed at combating internet addiction and excessive social media use among minors. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the importance of protecting children’s well-being, calling it a “societal imperative.”
Speaking during a debate with a 16-year-old participant at the event unveiling the strategy, Mitsotakis expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of outright bans on social media. Instead, he highlighted the need to design apps that prioritize the needs of children and teenagers, framing this as a key challenge for the future.
The newly introduced strategy focuses on three main pillars:
- Strengthening parental controls to provide families with better tools to manage their children’s online activities.
- Implementing age verification systems to ensure appropriate content access for minors.
- Engaging with social media platforms to encourage the adoption of child-friendly practices and safeguards.
As part of the initiative, Greece launched a dedicated website offering user-friendly guides and instructions on utilizing parental control features. In addition, the government plans to introduce a digital wallet application next year. This app will function as both a parental control tool and an age verification system, providing parents with more control over their children’s online interactions.
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This move underscores Greece’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by digital platforms and ensuring a safer online environment for its younger population.
