Spain wants to ban social media for under-16s, says Spanish PM
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Spain plans to ban social media access for children under 16, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says.
- The proposal targets online harm, including exposure to pornography and violence.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said his government plans to ban access to social media platforms for children under the age of 16, describing the online environment as a “digital wild west” filled with harmful content.
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Speaking during an official visit to Dubai, Sanchez said the proposed measure aims to better protect minors from exposure to pornography, violence, and other online risks that have grown alongside the rapid expansion of digital platforms.
Protecting minors online
Sanchez argued that existing safeguards are insufficient to shield children and teenagers from harmful material, warning that social media companies have failed to adequately regulate content accessible to young users.
“Our children are not adequately protected,” he said, according to Spanish media. “The digital space cannot remain a lawless environment when it comes to minors.”
Part of a broader digital agenda
The proposed ban would form part of Spain’s wider efforts to strengthen digital regulation and child protection. While details of enforcement mechanisms have not yet been announced, the government is expected to explore age-verification systems and tighter obligations on technology companies.
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Spain would join a growing number of European governments pushing for stricter rules on social media use by minors, amid rising concern over mental health impacts, online addiction, and exposure to violent or sexual content.
What comes next
The proposal is expected to spark debate within Spain and across the European Union, where digital policy often requires coordination at both national and bloc levels. Further legislative details are likely to be outlined in the coming months as the government moves to translate the plan into law.
