In a significant move to protect young people online, Spain has announced plans to become the latest nation to prohibit social media access for children under the age of 16. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez revealed the proposal during his address at the World Government Summit in Dubai on Tuesday, signalling a firm stance against what he described as the "digital Wild West."
A Growing International Trend
Spain's announcement follows Australia's groundbreaking decision in December to implement the world's first nationwide ban on social media for under-16s. That pioneering move has been closely monitored by several other countries, including Britain and France, who are reportedly considering similar age-based restrictions. The Spanish government's initiative underscores a growing international concern about the impact of social media platforms on young minds.
Protecting Children from Digital Dangers
Prime Minister Sanchez articulated the government's motivation clearly, stating that children are being exposed to online environments they were never meant to navigate independently. His left-wing coalition government has repeatedly expressed alarm about the proliferation of harmful content on social media platforms, including hate speech, pornographic material, and widespread disinformation. "We will no longer accept that," Sanchez declared emphatically during his summit address.
The Spanish leader called upon other European nations to implement comparable protective measures, emphasising that this battle "far exceeds the boundaries of any country." He announced that Spain had joined five other European countries in forming what he termed the "Coalition of the Digitally Willing," a collaborative group dedicated to coordinating and enforcing cross-border digital regulation. The coalition is scheduled to hold its inaugural meeting in the coming days, though specific member nations were not disclosed, and Sanchez's office did not immediately provide clarification when requested.
Comprehensive Legislative Package
Beyond the age restriction, Sanchez outlined a broader legislative package aimed at creating a safer digital environment. The government intends to introduce a bill next week that would hold social media executives accountable for illegal content and hate speech circulating on their platforms. Furthermore, the legislation seeks to criminalise algorithmic manipulation and the deliberate amplification of unlawful material.
Enhanced Age Verification and Monitoring
Among the proposed measures is the implementation of a sophisticated system to track hate speech across digital platforms. Social media companies would be mandated to introduce robust age verification systems that extend beyond simple "check boxes," ensuring more reliable protection for minors. Sanchez specifically mentioned that Spanish prosecutors would explore legal avenues to investigate potential infractions by major platforms, including Elon Musk's Grok, TikTok, and Instagram.
The Spanish government plans to commence the legislative process for these measures as early as next week, marking a decisive step toward reshaping the digital landscape for younger generations. This development reflects a broader global shift towards more stringent regulation of social media, particularly concerning child protection and online safety standards.
