Greece and Spain: new youth protection regulations on the internet

On Tuesday, Greece and Spain presented their regulatory strategies regarding social media, focusing particularly on protecting young users. These steps reflect the growing international consensus on the need to establish legal frameworks to safeguard children from harmful online content.

Growing Threats Associated with Social Media

Both countries emphasize increasing concerns about internet addiction and young people’s exposure to dangerous materials. Greece, together with Spain, recognizes that social media platforms have become a significant source of risk to teenagers’ mental health and safety. Unregulated access to such platforms leads to issues such as cyberbullying, sleep disturbances, and threats to the well-being of young users.

Greece and Spain Implement Protective Measures

The proposed regulations aim to restrict teenagers’ access to social media platforms and introduce age verification requirements. Greece plans to implement more restrictive rules, while Spain is preparing comprehensive guidelines for the tech industry. Both nations are working together to harmonize their approaches to ensure consistent protection for children across the European Union.

Part of a Larger International Movement

The initiative undertaken by Greece and Spain aligns with the global trend of strengthening social media regulations. Other European and non-European countries are enacting similar legislation, recognizing the need to protect the younger generation from the negative effects of unrestricted internet access. Greece and Spain are joining a broad coalition of nations striving to create a safer digital environment for children and youth.