Spain Plans Social Media Ban for Children Under 16 to Enhance Online Safety

Spain Plans Social Media Ban for Children Under 16 to Enhance Online Safety

The Spanish government has unveiled plans to ban social media access for children under 16 in a bold move aimed at enhancing online safety, digital wellbeing, and child protection. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during the World Governments Summit in Dubai, highlighting Spain’s commitment to regulating digital spaces and shielding minors from harmful content.

Under the proposed regulations, social media platforms would be required to implement robust age-verification systems to prevent users under 16 from accessing platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and X. The measure is designed to protect children from exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, addictive apps, and online exploitation.

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Sánchez described the current online environment as a “digital Wild West” where children are vulnerable to manipulation and unsafe interactions. He emphasized that minors should not navigate complex digital platforms without strong legal safeguards.

Beyond restricting access for under-16s, the proposed law would introduce legal accountability for social media executives, holding them criminally liable for illegal, hateful, or harmful content spread through their platforms. The legislation also targets algorithmic manipulation and the amplification of unsafe content, ensuring platforms take responsibility for what is accessible to users.

The Spanish initiative follows similar global trends. In December 2025, Australia became the first country to ban social media use for children under 16, while countries like Britain, France, and other European nations are actively considering comparable restrictions.

Lawmakers in Madrid are expected to introduce the bill in parliament next week, with approval required before it becomes law. If passed, Spain would become one of the first European countries to enforce such strict age-based social media regulations, setting a precedent for child protection in the digital age.

Spain Plans Social Media Ban for Children Under 16 to Enhance Online Safety