Greece has become the latest EU country to announce a ban on social media access for under-15s, restricting children’s exposure to online platforms.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the move was aimed at tackling rising anxiety and sleep problems among young people, as well as what he described as the “addictive design” of social media.

The restriction will come into force from January of next year.

The ban will include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. However, messaging and video platforms will be allowed, which will include Messenger, WhatsApp, Viber, and YouTube.

Platforms will now be obliged to do 2 things: first, verify the user’s age using reliable mechanisms such as the kids wallet, and second, verify the age again for those who already have an account.