Opening his remarks, Mitsotakis referenced the popular TV drama Adolescence, noting that the government’s focus on what he called “juvenile delinquency” began before the show aired. This, he argued, proves that the administration’s concern isn’t a simply a reaction to temporary media attention.

He also pointed to a government-run platform for reporting school bullying, which has so far recorded more than 1,000 incidents. While acknowledging a recent drop in reports, he urged Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki to boost the platform’s visibility, describing it as an essential tool.

As part of a broader strategy of tighter control, Mitsotakis again defended placing police officers in youth-heavy areas, describing their presence as “discreet” but reassuring. These officers, he said, must be well-trained and sensitive to the realities of adolescent behaviour.

He also highlighted Safe Youth, an app already available for download, which allows young people to quickly alert police if they feel threatened.

A new initiative was also announced: Kids Wallet, a digital tool designed to let parents manage how and when their children access certain online content.

“Rather than spying on what children do, the app allows parents to limit screen time or block access to specific apps at certain times of day. It also serves as a form of age verification – a feature very useful in future talks with tech platforms.”

What’s clear is that the government continues to frame youth misbehaviour as largely the result of social media overuse, with little reference to other social or economic factors. “We recognise the issue of online addiction,” Mitsotakis said.

“Endlessly scrolling through apps because clever algorithms feed us content we find interesting – this can normalise problematic behaviour.”

He added that adolescence is a time of brain development, risk-taking and rebellion, and warned that platforms often “pour fuel on the fire.” Mitsotakis encouraged parents to make use of these digital tools but, and to engage in open conversations with their children.

“You go to a restaurant and see families where both the parents and the kids are glued to their phones,” he said.

The main aim, he suggested, is to help parents set boundaries:

“No child can grow up without limits, and no parent can shy away from setting them.”

Turning to another solution, the PM promoted youth involvement in sports. “As someone who’s an athlete myself, I know what sport can offer young people: a healthy outlet, and a framework for learning values like teamwork and responsibility,” he said.

He promised improved sports facilities for schools and neighbourhoods, suggesting that time spent exercising means less time on phones.

“Whether they like it or not, when they’re playing sport, they’re not on their devices – it’s a win-win.”

Addressing mental health, Mitsotakis praised younger generations for being more open than in the past. “The old taboos are fading, and that’s a good thing. But it also means the state must step up with the right support systems for children and teenagers,” he said. He admitted that while progress has been made, there’s still a long way to go: “This national strategy sets out a roadmap and concrete goals.”

He closed with a familiar refrain, once again shifting the weight of responsibility back to parents:

“It’s easy to become a parent – being one is the hard part. And none of what we’re planning can happen without parents playing their part.”

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