Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a ban on social media for children under 16, requiring platforms to implement strict age verification systems. This move follows a growing international trend of restricting youth digital access, inspired by similar legislation recently passed in Australia.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez recently declared his intention to prohibit children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. Speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai, Sanchez characterized the current digital landscape as a lawless environment where criminal activity and lack of oversight are common. To combat these issues, Spain will mandate that social media companies enforce rigorous age verification protocols to ensure minors cannot bypass the new restrictions.
This policy shift is part of a broader legislative push to reform digital safety within the country. The Spanish government is expected to introduce new laws next week specifically designed to regulate the type of content allowed on social media. Sanchez emphasized the necessity of these measures to protect younger generations from what he described as a digital Wild West, suggesting that the current state of social media represents a failed system where existing laws are routinely ignored.
Spain is not alone in its pursuit of stricter age limits for digital platforms. The decision aligns with a movement that gained significant momentum in December when Australia officially barred children under 16 from social media. Since that landmark decision, several European leaders have expressed their intent to follow suit, citing concerns over the impact of unregulated social media consumption on child development and safety.
Other European nations are already moving forward with their own versions of these restrictions. In the Netherlands, the new minority government recently announced plans to prevent children under 15 from accessing social media. Similarly, French lawmakers recently approved legislation that sets the age limit at 14. These collective actions suggest a shifting consensus across the continent regarding the necessity of state intervention in children’s digital lives.
The United Kingdom is also evaluating its options, with the government announcing in January that it is studying the feasibility of a ban for those aged 15 and under. As Spain joins this group of nations, the pressure increases on tech companies to develop more sophisticated tools for age gatekeeping. These legislative efforts represent a coordinated attempt by various governments to impose order on a sector that has historically operated with significant autonomy.
Source: Spain Will Ban Social Media Access For Children Under 16