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Seeking to curb digital addiction among minors without resorting to outright bans on social media use, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis unveiled a groundbreaking initiative on Monday promoting safety and parental involvement.<\/p>\n
Presented at the Athens Conservatoire alongside senior government officials, the strategy introduces digital tools to foster safer online experiences while promoting parental engagement and accountability from tech companies.<\/p>\n
The centerpiece of the program is Parco.gov.gr, a new advisory platform for parents designed to help manage children\u2019s online activities. \u201cThe solution lies in dialogue,\u201d said Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou. \u201cThe state must stand alongside parents and children.\u201d \u00a0The platform enables parents to set specific restrictions on app usage, including time limits and approved hours for screen activity.<\/p>\n
Another pillar of the initiative is the Kids Wallet, a digital tool that integrates parental controls with user age verification. Expected to launch by spring, it allows parents to predefine daily screen time \u2013 ranging from one to four hours \u2013 and monitor app engagement. \u201cThe Kids Wallet has the potential for broader European adoption,\u201d Mitsotakis said, underlining its role in raising awareness about mobile usage habits.<\/p>\n
Mitsotakis rejected blanket prohibitions, emphasizing the need for education and shared responsibility. \u201cCan a total ban on social media for children be effective? I doubt it,\u201d he said. He called for increased parental involvement and stronger regulatory frameworks while urging major platforms to prioritize user wellbeing. \u201cThese companies must take responsibility. They\u2019ve made enormous profits, and it\u2019s time to stop endangering children\u2019s mental health,\u201d Mitsotakis noted.<\/p>\n
The prime minister highlighted the cognitive risks of excessive screen exposure for developing minds, describing the current environment as a \u201cmassive experiment\u201d with unregulated outcomes. He pointed to examples, including Instagram, that have begun integrating teen-safe features, but insisted more needed to be done.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not just a national concern but a global issue requiring humane technological practices,\u201d Mitsotakis said. \u201cThe digital world can be invaluable, but it must never replace real-life experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n
By advancing these tools, the government aims to position Greece at the forefront of Europe\u2019s efforts to promote ethical technology and protect future generations.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n