The government in Greece announced new measures to combat the rising phenomenon of teenage violence in cities across Greece.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced during a cabinet meeting on Monday the launch of a new mobile app to support teenagers facing threats or violence outside school premises.
He explained that the app, called “Safe Youth,” will enable at-risk teenagers to alert the police in real-time. However, he did not provide a specific launch date.
Mitsotakis acknowledged that the state cannot substitute for the family in addressing this concerning trend but emphasized that several government measures targeting juvenile delinquency and child neglect could help mitigate the issue.
“The state cannot replace the family as the primary unit for raising children, but we can impose stricter penalties for child neglect. In the future, we will focus a lot on issues with social media platforms and how bullying takes on a digital dimension.
“We are facing a global crisis, and I believe it is inevitable that regulatory intervention will be necessary to address this problem at its root. Until then, we must protect our children,” said Mitsotakis.
He also referred to changes in the penal code that will lead to stricter criminal treatment for youth gun possession and the pre-trial detention of those who repeatedly commit the same offense.
Recent incidents of teenage violence in Greece
Last week shocking footage has emerged showing the brutal beating of a 14-year-old girl by a group of her peers in the southern Athens suburb of Glyfada.
The footage taken from security cameras on Lazaraki Street, shows the minors approaching the girl and attacking her while other teens stand by.
Among the people who attacked the girl were two of her peers with whom she reportedly had differences in the past.
Earlier in September three minors, aged 13 and 14, were arrested on the island of Zakynthos, western Greece, for bullying and stealing from a 14-year-old classmate over several months.
The suspects, including two brothers, repeatedly assaulted the boy and stole 300 euros in total. The abuse was exposed when they attacked him in public, slapping and insulting him.
A friend recorded the incident and the video was given to the police. The minors and their parents, who were charged with neglect, were released pending a court date. The suspects face charges of violence, intimidation and robbery.
Social media and violence
Experts say that social media play a huge part in the rise of youth violence in Greece and worldwide. Social media can expose young people to graphic content, including violent videos, images, and memes. This can desensitize them to violence and normalize aggressive behavior.
Cyberbullying, threats, and online harassment can create a toxic environment for young people, leading to emotional distress and potentially violent behavior.
Social media platforms can be used to spread hate speech and promote harmful ideologies, such as extremism and violence. This can radicalize young people and encourage them to engage in violent acts. Also, the rapid spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories can contribute to violence.
Related: Shocking Incident of School Violence in Greece Caught on Video
