Spain to Ban Social Media for Under-16s

Spain has announced plans to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media, joining countries such as Australia, France and Denmark in tightening controls on digital platforms.

The announcement was made by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez while speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai.

“We Will Protect Our Children” — Sánchez

According to Sánchez, the move is aimed at shielding children from the growing dangers of online spaces.

“Our children are exposed to a space they were never meant to navigate alone,” Sánchez said.

“A space of addiction, abuse, pornography, manipulation and violence. We will no longer accept that. We will protect them from the digital Wild West.”

The Spanish government plans to require strict age-verification systems on all social media platforms.

Criminal Liability for Social Media Executives

Beyond the age ban, Spain is also introducing new laws to hold social media executives criminally responsible for failing to remove illegal or hateful content.

Sánchez said platforms and individuals who amplify illegal content through algorithms will also face sanctions.

“We will turn algorithmic manipulation and amplification of illegal content into a new criminal offense,” he said.

“Spreading hate must come at a cost.”

Tracking Hate and Polarization Online

Another proposal includes the creation of a “hate and polarization footprint”, a system designed to track and measure how digital platforms contribute to social division and the spread of hate.

The legislation process is expected to begin next week, according to the Spanish government.

Global Momentum Against Social Media Harm

Spain’s move follows a growing global trend:

• Australia became the first country to ban under-16s from social media in December
• France and Denmark plan to restrict access for under-15s
• Britain is currently considering similar legislation

French President Emmanuel Macron recently said France aims to enforce its ban before the start of the next school year in September.

European Cooperation on Social Media Regulation

Sánchez also revealed that Spain has partnered with five other European countries to push for faster and stronger enforcement of social media regulations across borders.

While the countries were not named, he confirmed that the group will hold its first coordination meeting in the coming days.