Greece unveils national strategy to tackle internet addiction among minors

Greece announced today, Monday, a national strategy to combat internet addiction and excessive social media use among minors, according to state news agency AMNA.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking at the launch event, highlighted the psychological toll of excessive screen time, describing it as “the dark side of technology,” noting that children increasingly face issues such as depression, isolation, and distraction due to overuse of mobile devices.

Rather than implementing a universal ban, the government plans to regulate tech companies that design algorithms to maximize screen time and provide support for parents. A new website has been launched to guide parents in activating pre-installed parental controls on devices.

Additionally, the government will roll out a digital wallet app next year, enabling parental controls and an age verification system. Mitsotakis emphasized that safeguarding children’s well-being is a collective societal responsibility.