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Spain announced plans to prohibit social media access for individuals under 16 years of age, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared Tuesday, marking a significant step in the country’s approach to protecting minors from online harms.
During a speech at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Sánchez criticized major technology companies for allowing illegal content to flourish on their platforms, specifically mentioning child sexual abuse material and nonconsensual sexualized deepfake images. He asserted that governments must take action rather than “turning a blind eye” to these issues.
“Today, our children are exposed to a space they were never meant to navigate alone,” Sánchez stated firmly. “We will no longer accept that.”
The proposed ban positions Spain within a growing international movement to restrict minors’ access to social media platforms. Several countries have already implemented or are considering similar measures, reflecting mounting global concerns about social media’s impact on young users.
France approved legislation in January prohibiting social media for children under 15, with implementation scheduled for the upcoming school year in September. The French law will also ban mobile phone use in high schools, addressing broader concerns about technology in educational settings.
Australia has pioneered what’s considered the world’s first comprehensive social media ban for users under 16. Their approach holds platforms including TikTok, Twitch, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X, and Instagram directly accountable for failing to prevent children from creating accounts.
Denmark has introduced comparable legislation targeting users under 15, while the United Kingdom recently announced it would consider prohibiting young teenagers from accessing social media as part of broader efforts to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time.
Spain’s proposed ban would require social media companies to implement robust age verification systems. Sánchez emphasized that these would need to be “real barriers that work,” not merely checkbox confirmations. Currently, while many social media platforms nominally require users to be at least 13 years old, enforcement mechanisms are often weak, with most systems simply asking users to self-declare their age without verification.
The Spanish government plans to incorporate the ban into existing legislation focused on digital protections for minors currently under parliamentary review. According to Sánchez, this could happen as early as next week, though the timeline remains uncertain.
Political support for the measure appears mixed. Sánchez’s left-wing coalition government lacks a parliamentary majority, making approval uncertain. The far-right Vox party has criticized the initiative, suggesting it aims to suppress criticism of the government. However, the center-right Popular Party indicated potential support, noting they had proposed similar restrictions last year.
Major social media companies, including Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) and X (formerly Twitter), did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, X owner Elon Musk reacted strongly, calling Sánchez “the true fascist totalitarian” in a post referencing the Spanish leader’s speech.
Beyond the age restriction, Sánchez announced that Spain has joined five other European countries in what he called a “coalition of the digitally willing” to coordinate multinational regulation of social media platforms. This coalition reflects growing recognition that effective oversight of global technology companies requires international cooperation.
The Spanish government also intends to criminalize the manipulation of algorithms designed to amplify illegal content and hold tech executives personally liable for failing to remove criminal content from their platforms. “No more pretending that technology is neutral,” Sánchez declared.
Both of these additional measures would require parliamentary approval to amend Spanish law, according to a government spokesperson.
These developments represent part of a broader international shift toward more stringent regulation of social media platforms, especially regarding their impact on young users.
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11 Comments
This move by Spain to restrict social media access for minors is an interesting development in the ongoing debate around online child safety. It will be worth monitoring how this policy is received and whether other nations adopt similar measures.
While I understand the concerns about social media’s impact on young people, a blanket ban may not be the best approach. Perhaps more focus on digital literacy and parental controls could be more effective. But it’s good to see governments taking the issue seriously.
This proposed ban on social media for under-16s in Spain is part of a broader global trend. Several other European countries have implemented or are considering similar measures. It will be worth watching how effective these policies are.
You’re right, this is a complex issue with no easy solutions. Balancing digital rights and child safety is an ongoing challenge for policymakers.
Spain’s plan to ban social media for under-16s is a bold move, but one that reflects the growing global consensus on the need to better safeguard minors online. It will be interesting to see how this policy is implemented and whether other countries follow suit.
Interesting move by Spain to protect minors from social media harms. There are valid concerns about the impact of these platforms on young users. Curious to see how this will be implemented and enforced.
I agree, the online safety of children is a critical issue that governments need to address. Restricting social media access for under-16s could help mitigate some of the risks.
Protecting children from the potential harms of social media is a noble goal, but a blanket ban may not be the best solution. A more balanced approach focusing on digital literacy and parental controls could be more effective. Nevertheless, it’s good to see governments taking this issue seriously.
I agree, a nuanced approach is likely needed. Outright bans can be problematic, but the underlying concerns about social media’s impact on young people are valid. A mix of regulation, education, and empowering parents could be a more constructive path forward.
The Spanish government’s plan to ban social media for under-16s reflects growing global alarm over the harms these platforms can pose to minors. I’m curious to see how this policy will be implemented and what other countries may follow suit.
You raise a good point. Outright bans can be tricky, and a more holistic approach focused on education and parental guidance may be more effective. But this issue clearly requires urgent action.