Spanish government proposes banning social media for minors under 16 amid digital safety concerns
Spain to restrict social media use for under-16s amid growing concerns
As part of a five-point legislative package aimed at strengthening digital child protection, the Spanish government plans to prohibit minors under 16 from accessing social media platforms. This move comes amid widespread worry about the risks young people face online, with over 90% of the Spanish population expressing concern, according to a UNICEF report.
Ban to mirror australia's similar measure
The proposed ban would mirror a similar restriction introduced in Australia in December 2025. France has also approved a similar proposal, while other countries like New Zealand, Denmark, and Malaysia are considering similar measures.
Package of five initiatives includes age verification, hate speech tracking, and more
Alongside the social media ban, the Spanish government's package includes:
- Strengthening age verification systems
- Improving tracking of hate speech
- Hold tech executives accountable for platform safety
- Making algorithm manipulation illegal if it causes harm
- Enhancing cooperation with law enforcement to pursue online crimes
Experts weigh in on complexity and limitations of the proposal
Ignacio Guadix, a child rights expert at UNICEF Spain, acknowledges the proposal addresses a real issue, but raises concerns about its implementation and potential impact. He notes that most 10-12 year olds already have social media accounts, despite current laws not allowing data sharing until age 13.
Guadix warns that the measure could lead to a