His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia paid a ceremonial visit to His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece on Friday, April 4.
The visit took place at the Holy Archdiocese of Athens in Greece, where the two archbishops had the opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest.
During the visit, Archbishop Makarios expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome extended by Archbishop Ieronymos.
The two leaders exchanged greetings and well wishes in celebration of the upcoming Pascha feast day.
Petro Georgiou, a former Liberal MP for Kooyong and a respected advocate for human rights and multiculturalism, died peacefully at the age of 77 on Friday, April 4.
Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton MP, paid tribute to Mr Georgiou AO describing him as “a man of principle” who was “respected across the Parliament.”
Full statement:
Petro Georgiou was a proud Australian of Greek ancestry, a man of principle, and a person whose astute policy mind was respected across the Parliament.
Petro served his constituents of Kooyong with the utmost dedication for more than 15 years.
Under the Howard Government, Petro was a hard-working Liberal backbencher committed to his constituents and the Liberal Party.
Petro was also someone who uttered his beliefs with conviction, even when his views didn’t align with his party’s positions or policies.
Having migrated to Australia from Greece, Petro was a champion for migrant rights and multiculturalism during his political career and beyond – especially in his role as Director of the Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs for five years.
Testimony to his character and achievements in public life, Petro was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2013 for his service to Parliament and his contributions to multiculturalism and human rights.
Petro’s own success story is one which speaks to Australia’s broader migration success story. He will be dearly missed by his wide circle of friends and so many communities that benefited from his advocacy, goodwill and support.
On behalf of the Federal Coalition, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Petro’s partner, Roxanne, as well as Dino and Alexia, his beloved children.
Recently announced, new US tariffs are set to impose a 10% baseline tax on all countries, including Greece and Australia.
This move is part of US President Donald Trump’s broader strategy to address trade imbalances and has sparked concerns about retaliatory measures from global trading partners.
The European Commission is set to present a unified proposal on Monday, April 7 for retaliatory measures in response to new US tariffs, with a vote scheduled later this week.
The proposed tariffs will target 70% of EU exports to the US, covering a wide range of products from meat, cereals, and wine to household items like vacuum cleaners and toilet paper.
While reactions to the US tariffs have been mixed, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling for a freeze on European investments in the US, and Ireland and Italy advocating for a more measured response, the EU’s countermeasures are expected to move forward unless a majority of 15 member states oppose them.
The retaliatory measures will be implemented in two stages, beginning on April 15.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will engage with key stakeholders in sectors most impacted by the tariffs, including steel, automotive, and pharmaceuticals.
Australian steel industry:
Australian businesses like ProWay, which builds livestock handling equipment, are feeling the effects of the US tariffs on steel.
Managing Director Paul Gianniotis noted that the global steel market is facing a glut as a result of the tariffs, with prices dropping and making imported steel more attractive.
Gianniotis predicted that Australia could become a “dumping ground” for steel, exacerbating challenges in the steel industry.
Greek economy and feta exports:
Although Greek exports to the US account for just 4.8% of the country’s total exports, the new tariffs are expected to have a significant indirect impact on Greece.
Key export markets, like Germany and Italy, could feel the strain as the tariffs negatively affect their economies.
Greek feta producers, however, face more direct challenges. The iconic cheese, a protected EU trademark since 2022, has become a key export for Greece, with around 8% of its 140,000 tonnes exported to the US last year.
Feta’s exports had doubled over the past four years as American consumers embraced the product, but the imposition of a 20% tariff on EU exports threatens to derail the industry’s expansion plans.
Konstantinos Latsis, general manager of a dairy cooperative in Kalavryta, expressed concern over the impact of tariffs, stating, “What share of that (duties) will go to the final consumer… remains to be seen.”
The cooperative, which produces 5,000 tonnes of feta annually, is hopeful but cautious about the future, given the US market’s importance.
Greek Minister of Rural Development and Food, Kostas Tsiaras, said Greece would seek exemptions for unique products that don’t compete with US alternatives and called for the EU to redesign policies to increase the accessibility of European produce.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasised Greece’s commitment to free trade and active participation in shaping the EU’s unified response.
Petros and Stefanos Tsitsipas staged a remarkable comeback in their Monte-Carlo Masters debut, overcoming a 1-5 deficit in the second-set tie-break and saving double match points to defeat Americans Christian Harrison and Evan King 4-6, 7-6 (7), 10-8.
This marks the Tsitsipas brothers’ fourth appearance at the Monte-Carlo Masters, and for the fourth consecutive year, they have reached the second round.
In a match full of drama, the Greek duo fought back from the brink of elimination after initially falling behind in the tie-break.
Despite facing double match points at 4-5, the Tsitsipas brothers showed resilience, taking the next point and converting their own second set point to win the tie-break 9-7.
Their strong performance in the second set, where they had numerous break opportunities, made their eventual victory even sweeter. The match then went into a tense match tie-break.
After seeing a 5-3 lead shrink to 7-7, the Tsitsipas brothers regained control, reaching double match points at 9-7. On their second opportunity, they sealed the victory, advancing to the second round.
In the next round, they will face British duo Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, who earlier defeated Marcelo Melo and Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-4.
One of the last surviving ANZAC veterans who fought in the Battle of Crete, Arthur Leggett OAM, has passed away at the age of 106.
A widely respected figure in Perth, Western Australia, Mr Leggett was a passionate advocate for veterans and remained the active President of the Ex-Prisoner of War Association of WA until his death.
Mr Leggett was WA’s oldest surviving Second World War army prisoner of war.
Mr Leggett served in the Second World War, fighting in Libya and in the battles of Bardia and Tobruk before being captured during the Battle of Crete at the age of 22. He endured over four years in a prisoner of war camp and was forced to labour for 12-hour days in coal mines in Poland.
A familiar and moving presence at ANZAC Day events, Mr Leggett made a lasting impression at the 2022 Fremantle Dockers Len Hall Game, where, aged 103, he read the Ode of Remembrance to a silent Optus Stadium crowd.
Arthur Leggett.
Ray Galliott, secretary of the Ex-Prisoners of War Association WA, paid tribute to his unwavering service.
“Arthur Leggett always said that his duty as an ex-Army soldier was to ensure that the memory of his former colleagues was never forgotten and that the most effective way to do so was to educate the younger Australians of what earlier generations did to ensure we enjoy the freedom and safety of a secure country,” Mr Galliott said.
“As President of the Ex-Prisoners of War Association, Arthur worked tirelessly with this mission and is well known for his dedication. A good man to the end.”
Mr Leggett’s connection to Crete and the Cretan community was also deeply cherished. Tony Tsoudalakis, former President of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand, also paid tribute to Mr Leggett’s legacy.
“I had the joy and honour of knowing him since 1999, and in 2011, as President of the Pancretan Association of Melbourne, I accompanied him on a tour of Athens and Crete for the 70th Anniversary of the Battle,” Mr Tsourdalakis said.
“Eternal be his memory, and may the earth that covers him be light. We will always remember him with deep love and respect.”
There is something about the freedom of being out on the Aegean. One can visit small islands, more populated islands, deserted beaches or simply go fishing. It is a freedom of tranquillity. I saw it on a postcard once, a postcard of Patmos that I picked up in Athens.
Patmos is a picturesque place where I myself had the freedom to be, riding my bike around Patmos, meeting locals and finding secluded settlements and churches.
Patmos has certainly been a place for the aforementioned freedom. It was also a place for John the Apostle to have his freedom to write and discuss Christianity during the pagan era of Roman times. It should be noted, that unlike the pilgrims and visitors of 2025, John was “transported” to Patmos as a “guest” of the Roman Emperor Domitianus in 95 AD. He was pushing close to 90 years of age. As locals told me, John wrote the Gospel of John, Three Letters of John (1, 2, and 3 John), while the Book of Revelation is attributed as his writing.
John’s stay on Patmos, just like tourists such as myself, was brief; he was certainly productive. In Chora, the main town that one will find on all the postcards, you will find a monastery dedicated to the Apostle. Riding up from the Aegean Sea settlements, the Monastery and Chora stand out like a beacon, beckoning one to visit and feel a sense of spirituality.
Fun fact, John is also recognised my Muslims, Druze and Mormons, yet in the era of Domitianus, he was persecuted as the Romans carried out significant anti-Christian pogroms.
Today, free of Roman biases, any pilgrim and visitor will feel welcome, and before you say “What Have The Romans Ever Done For Us?” it was the Byzantine Greeks who provided a strong flavour that we experience today. Monk Christodoulos Latrinos was assigned Patmos by Emperor Komnenos in the Eleventh Century. The Monk went about fortifying Chora, building the Monastery we see today and other churches and buildings. The main church of the monastery is called the Katholikón which has a domed cross-in-square.
The Monastery houses 330 early Christian manuscripts. For a sense of freedom and spirituality, spend a day or two in Chora. By night it really comes alive as spirituality competes with ouzo, good food, art shops, bookstores and families having a great time. The main square is packed full of bars and eateries.
Nearby Chora, one can find the UNESCO World Heritage Cave of the Apocalypse (Σπήλαιο Αποκάλυψης). UNESCO and Greece understood the relevance of this historical site for the Greek Orthodox and deemed it a preservation site in 1999.
Unlike Leros where I arrived from, there is less influence from the Italian occupation period which, technically, lasted until 1948. They essentially retreated in 1943 as the Nazis took control of the island in a period of forced starvation of Greece by the Allied blockade, which Turkey had been willing to break by sending food by sea to the Greeks. Before the Italians seized the Dodecanese early in the Twentieth Century, Patmos had seen Ottomans, who provided significant tax concessions to the Monastery and island, a short Russian occupation, and a slightly longer Venetian occupation.
I found my groove on Patmos, taking every opportunity to explore the beautiful coastline, gorge on fresh food in remote places, and I enjoyed exploring the main harbour side town of Skala. Here you will find a maze of hidden gems, live music, art cafes and boat tours for quick getaways.
On one such day, I took a boat called Ελπίδα/Hope, where it was party central as the crew led by energetic Captain George, passengers and nearby boats all seemed to party like it was 1999. Maybe they too were excited by that year’s UNESCO decision.
The chance to swim in turquoise water for hours and to see remote settlements and churches was something to cherish. These are true postcard moments, made even more special by Ελπίδα.
I was able to visit nearby small islands including Marathi, which is inhabited by about ten people. Their paradise, their planet. Their freedom, as the world comes to them, enabling them to live a rural life free of the craziness we read about in the media. This island is the 99th that I have visited.
Meeting a cool group of Greeks who were visiting from the mainland, Patmos’ visitors are mostly Greek speakers.
To exemplify the friendliness of the people, I even enjoyed my laundry experiences at EcoLaundry, where the bloke from Athens treated me as a friend, not a customer. The type of service I am used to on Lesvos, my original home, making me an instant fan. If you are ever in the hood, it is a quick drive out of Skala passed the new marina, and you can find nearby cafes, eateries and the sea.
Over the years I was always fascinated by the postcard of Patmos, the monastery with fortifications. I chose not to visit as it had no airport. I finally made it via the airport on nearby Leros and a comfortable boat ride between these two picturesque islands. Patmos with a population of just 3400, has good roads and spread-out settlements. Meaning you will enjoy the breathing space, a rural feel and a plethora of unspoiled beaches.
While it is no longer a place of exile for Christians, it is a place for those of us wanting freedom to be, the freedom to worship, explore and enjoy the postcard that came to life.
Six and a half years ago, a motocross accident left Christina Vithoulkas paraplegic. The self-described “adrenaline junkie” had been one of Australia’s first female freestyle riders before a mistimed jump resulted in a spinal cord injury, fractured skull, broken ribs, and a lacerated spleen.
According to an article in abc.net.au, she lost all movement below her T5 vertebra and faced a new reality without abdominal balance or temperature regulation.
Despite this, Vithoulkas never lost her love for extreme sports. Now 30, she has found the same thrill in drifting—a motorsport where cars slide sideways around corners. The challenge of maintaining control while losing traction gives her the same rush that motocross once did.
One of the reasons she loves drifting is that it allows her to compete on equal footing. “That’s why I love drifting so much … I can’t think of another sport that a paralysed person can do where we’re not separated from the non-disabled community,” she said.
She drives a specially modified automatic car with hand controls, but her skills have earned her respect in the sport. “People tell me, ‘You’re in an automatic, Christina, and you’re doing everything by your hands,’” she said. “In moments like that, I am proud.”
Though she currently drifts for fun, Vithoulkas hopes to compete professionally one day. “Our whole purpose in life is to come here and experience all the emotions,” she said. “Then when you do get these happy, fun moments, you appreciate them so much more.”
Journalists from more than 50 media outlets in Greece and the Greek diaspora, university researchers from 25 universities from around the world and leading artists and intellectuals will be present at the 11th International Summer University “Greek Language, Culture and Media” from May 24-29 at the Maliotis Cultural Center of Holy Cross in Boston.
This year’s event bears the special title: ” Diaspora mass media: Challenges and prospects for the Greek language and culture “. The program, which will be offered free of charge, will focus on the expatriate media and their contribution to the dissemination of the Greek language and culture, and is set to evolve into a global expatriate media forum, as owners, directors and representatives of newspapers, broadcasters, news websites from Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa and Australia will participate.
The International Summer University will also host an exhibition of sketches by 3 distinguished Greek cartoonists, Elias Makris, Andreas Petroulakis, Stathis Stavropoulos, a Greek “convoy” that will start from the University of Ioannina and will cross the Atlantic to address the diaspora.
The programme will be presented at a special event at the Benaki Museum in Athens, on Tuesday 29 April at 7 pm. In addition, a volume of the proceedings of last year’s event for the dissemination of the Greek linguistic heritage in the Diaspora is being published by “Kappa Ekdotiki”.
This collective publication will be presented at the Benaki Museum, as well as at one of the largest museums in the United States, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, with the collaboration of the Behrakis Wing, which includes immersive performances of ancient Greek temple. Details:
The organisers
The 11th International Summer University is organized by the Laboratory for the Study of Social Issues, Media and Education, Department of Early Childhood Education, School of Education, University of Ioannina and the Maliotis Cultural Center of Hellenic College Holy Cross, Boston and with the participation of the Department of Hellenic Education of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Greek Applied Linguistics Association, the Athens and Macedonian News Agency, Study in Greece, the Center for Hellenic Studies at the University of Chicago, Fondazione Vexillum and the Hellenic Association of Political Scientists. It will take place at the Maliotis Cultural Center in Brookline and will be implemented through the Center for Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning of the University of Ioannina.
Under the auspices of the Hellenic Parliament & with the support of the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad & Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The International Summer University “Hellenic Language, Culture and Media” is under the auspices of the Hellenic Parliament, as well as under the auspices and with the support of the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Secretary General of Hellenism Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Mrs. Myra Myrogianni, will participate with a speech. The programme has been included in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ strategic plan for Hellenism Abroad (2024-2027). Kasimatis, Vice-Chairman of the Committee, and Stylianos Petsas.
The presence of Deputy Secretary of State of the United States and the Archbishop of America
According to information, on Thursday, May 29, the International Summer University will be attended by Michael Rigas, Deputy Secretary of State of the United States, who holds a master’s degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Public Administration of Harvard University and Boston University. Archbishop Elpidophoros, Archbishop of America, will also deliver a speech.
Scientific participants from Africa, Australia, Argentina, Argentina, China
The participation of academics, researchers and PhD students from dozens of universities around the world is impressive. From Europe, PhDs and researchers from the Universities of Paul Valéry-Montpellier III (France), Aix-Marseille (AMU-CNRS) (France), Cambridge (UK), Florence (Italy), Cyprus (Cyprus), Frederick (Cyprus). From America, entries come from Harvard University, University of Chicago, Hellenic College Holy Cross, Brown, Boston University. In addition, academics from the University of New South Wales in Australia, An Hui University in China and Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia are participating. From Greece, participants come from the Universities of Ioannina, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Harokopio University, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, National Technical University of Athens, Democritus University of Thrace, University of Thessaly, University of Piraeus, University of Peloponnese, Hellenic Open University, Panteion University. Especially from the University of Ioannina, many academics will participate with the delegation headed by the Rector, Professor Anna Batistatou.
Global Forum of Diaspora Media
The event is supported by ERT, ERT 2, ERT 3, ERT WORLD, the First Programme 105,8 and the Voice of Greece, as well as the Parliament Channel. Communication sponsors are also Real FM, Real News, and real.gr, as well as ATHENS VOICE and CNN GREECE. The Greek Service of Deutsche Welle is participating as a communication sponsor.
The following media outlets are also participating as communication sponsors: the Orthodox Observer News, the National Herald in the USA, Hellenic News of America, Greek News Usa, Cosmos Philly. Greek – American News from Philadelphia, The Panhellenic Post, the daily national publication Greek Herald and the newspaper Neos Kosmos from Australia, the Greek Public Radio of New York COSMOS FM, H W Media Group from Austria (homogeneous websites https://hephaestuswien.com /, https://pyramisnews.gr and the Greek-language radio in Austria, Hephaestus Radio ). Pyramis News is addressed to the homogeneity of Africa and the Arab States.
Communication sponsors are also the following expatriate media: Kallimera Massalia in France, WNTN Radio-1550 AM/Grecian Echoes in Boston, Hellenic Radio from Bedfordview, Johannesburg, the South African expatriate radio station “New Panhellenic Voice”, the newspaper “Eleftheria” London, 2mm Radio, Sydney, Darwin, Wollongong, the website “Echoes” Central and South Africa, NEWSVILLE in Belgium etc.
In addition, BCI MEDIA GROUP (Broadcast Canadian & International TV – Radio Network and Telecommunication) is participating in the 11th International Summer University from Canada, specifically with the global digital television NETV Toronto and NETV Europe, the news platform BCI 24 Nes Network and the subscription digital platform GoSMART TV PLUS.
From Egypt, the “Alexandrian Postman” – Branch of the Greek Community of Alexandria and the “Lighthouse of the Greek Community of Alexandria” and the Greek community of Cairo which publishes the newspaper “Neo Phos” are participating.
The Greek Diaspora of France – Diaspora grecque en France also participates. Newer participants added to the programme are Active News Uk (UK), e-enimerosi (Germany), Balkan Radio Strimonika (Sofia, Bulgaria), Radio SDW (Sofia), “Satellite Munich” (Germany). In addition, the president of the Greek Cultural Organization Nostos of Argentina, with collaborations in the radio stations Argentina and Splendid, as well as in internet television on the Latin American channel TV Mundo Digital, is also involved. Communication sponsors are also the Association of Greek Press Correspondents Abroad, Europolitis – The Greek Newspaper in Europe – DIE GRIECHISCHE ZEITUNG IN EUROPA in Germany, NGTV – New Greek Television in New York and Greek City Times. Added is the Panhellenic Federation of Florida with the show “Panhellenic news” on the American Tan Talk Radio.
Roundtables, visits to Consulates, MFA, Harvard
The programme includes round tables with journalists from the expatriate media (per continent) and from many Greek media, keynote speeches, workshops, a special session with young researchers, as well as a round table on Greek excellence and medical achievements. The cultural programme is also important, including the cartoon exhibition, the participation of the Brussels Greek Choir, a visit to the iconic campus of Harvard University, a reception hosted by the Consulate General of Greece in Boston and a tour of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Bechrakis Wing, courtesy of Mr. Drake Bechrakis, where the volume of the proceedings of the 10th International Summer University will be presented, in the presence of Mons. Archbishop of America Mr. Elpidoforos and the Rector of the University of Ioannina, Professor Anna Batistatou.
Yannis Bezos in the TV spot
The 2025 programme is also promoted through television and radio advertising in Greece and in the Greek and Greek-speaking broadcast media, with the actor and director Mr.Yannis Bezos as the protagonist. The production was undertaken by the film production company Production House, with the directorial supervision of Mr. Panos Manolitsis and his team. The spot here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=852poHqAWkw
The official presentation at the Benaki Museum
The official presentation of the Boston programme will take place on Tuesday 29 April 2025 at 7 p.m. at the Benaki Museum Hall (Vassilissis Sofias and Koumbari). The event will be addressed by Mr. Ioannis Iosif Plakiotakis, First Vice President of the House of Parliament, Archbishop Elpidophoros, Archbishop of America (video greeting), Mrs. Myra Myrogianni, Secretary General of Hellenism & Expatriate Hellenism Public Diplomacy, Mr. Harris Doukas, Mayor of Athens, Mrs. Antonia Moropoulou, Professor Emeritus of Polytechnic University, Member of the Board of the University of Ioannina, Vice President of the Technical Chamber of Greece and Mrs. Katerina Nafplioti Panagopoulou, Ambassador Extraordinary, former Ambassador of Greece to the Council of Europe, President of “Kallipateira”.
Speakers will be Prokopios Pavlopoulos, former President of the Republic, Academician, Honorary Professor of the Law School of the University of Athens, Anna Batistatou, Rector of the University of Ioannina, Yannis Bezos, actor, director, as well as the editors of the proceedings, Mrs. N. Tsitsanoudis Mallidis, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Education of the University of Ioannina, Director of the International Summer University, N. Mathioudakis, Postdoctoral Researcher of the Democritus University of Thrace, member of the SEP of the EAP. Mr. Nikos Trivoulides, Director of Resources & Development of the Benaki Museum, will give the welcome remarks. During the event there will be an award ceremony for Mr. Chrysoula Kourkounti, Executive Director of the Maliotis Cultural Center and Mr. George M. Cantonis, ex-President of Hellenic College Holy Cross, who will travel from America to Greece especially for the event. This will be followed by a musical tribute in the context of the year Mikis Theodorakis by Mrs. Anna Bithikotsis and Mr. Sotiris Doganis. The event will be coordinated by the journalist and director of “Cultural Tetradia” Mr. Kostas Laskaratos.
Project director
Founder and Scientific Coordinator of the Programme is the Professor of Linguistics and Greek Language of the Department of Early Childhood Education of the University of Ioannina, Nikoletta Tsitsanoudis – Mallidis, Dean of the School of Education of the University of Ioannina. The organizing director of the Boston program is the Executive Director of the Maliotis Cultural Center of Hellenic College Holy Cross, Mrs. Chrysoula Kourkounti.
The Hellenic Writers’ Association of Australia has announced its annual Student Literary Competition, titled “From Greece to the World”, as part of the “Speak Greek in March” campaign. The competition is under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece in Melbourne.
The 2025 theme is: “Greek institutions, customs and traditions in the Antipodes.”
The aim of the competition is to encourage students, with the support of their educators, to reflect on and express their thoughts and emotions regarding the preservation of Greek customs, values, and traditions in Australia.
Entries may draw from personal experiences of community celebrations and festivals, individuals who have played a role in upholding Greek traditions, or memorable events that highlight the richness of Hellenic culture in the diaspora.
Each entry must include at least three of the following words or their derivatives: celebration, tradition, dance, music, festival, friend, grandfather, grandmother, family, table, food, memory.
Eligibility
The competition is open to primary, secondary and senior school students across Australia, who may participate individually or in teams of up to three students.
Genres accepted:
Prose
Fairytale
Historical Fairytale
Short Story
Poem
All works must be:
Original compositions by the students
Written in Greek
Submitted in Word format via email
Entry Categories
Category A: Primary School Students
Category B: Lower Secondary School Students
Category C: Senior Secondary School Students
Each category will have one winner, who will receive a cash prize. All participants will be awarded a certificate of participation.
Winning entries and participating schools will be officially announced in the media, and the selected works will be published in the 2026 edition of “Logos”, the annual magazine of the Association. The awards ceremony will take place at a public event hosted by the Association.
Submission Deadline: Friday, 27 June 2025
Submissions must include the following details:
Student’s full name, age, school, and year level
Contact details
Chosen literary genre
For submissions and enquiries, please email hellenicwritersau@gmail.com with the subject line: “Student Literary Competition”.
A research team from the University of Athens has created the world’s first tool specifically designed to assess addiction to TikTok, according to ekathimerini.com.
The TikTok Addiction Scale (TTAS) consists of 15 questions that evaluate six aspects of problematic use: preoccupation, mood changes, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict, and relapse. Participants rate statements on a scale from “very rarely” to “very often.” A score above 3.2 indicates excessive use, suggesting the need for a professional evaluation.
TikTok has become one of the most widely used social media platforms, with 20% of the global population holding accounts. In Greece, the app has 3.5 million users, 33% of whom are under 25. Around 42% of users spend 2-4 hours per day on the platform, while 38% exceed four hours.
The TTAS is available online for research and educational purposes but is not intended for formal diagnosis.
