Prime Minister Mitsotakis Unveils National Strategy to Protect Minors Online

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has presented Greece's national strategy to address the growing challenges of online safety for minors. Highlighting concerns about children spending excessive time on mobile devices, Mitsotakis emphasized the psychological toll, including depression, isolation, and distraction, caused by overuse of technology, CE Report quotes Athens-Macedonian

"This is a problem we all recognize but have struggled to address effectively," he said, adding that protecting children’s mental well-being is a fundamental responsibility of society.

The prime minister dismissed the idea of a universal ban, advocating instead for discussions involving parents, children, and state authorities. He also called for holding tech companies accountable for algorithms designed to maximize screen time.

Mitsotakis suggested tools like "kids wallets" to control screen time and content access, encouraging parents to set boundaries while teaching children self-regulation. He also stressed the need for Europe to take a stronger regulatory role in influencing global tech platforms, citing examples like Instagram, which has implemented features for younger users.

"This is a universal issue that requires collective action," he said, urging for better education of parents, teachers, and health professionals. He emphasized the importance of real-world experiences over digital alternatives, calling this a chance for Greece to lead on the issue at a European level.

Mitsotakis concluded by stating that the digital world must complement, not replace, real-life interactions and experiences.