Spain announced plans to restrict social media access for children under 16. The government will also require platforms to implement effective age-verification systems.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez outlined the measures on Tuesday at the World Government Summit in Dubai.
Sanchez said social media exposes children to content they cannot safely navigate alone. He expressed concern over the spread of hate speech, pornography, and false information online. “Our children are facing spaces they were never meant to handle by themselves,” he said. “We will protect them from the digital Wild West.”
The Spanish government is not alone in these efforts. Australia banned social media for children under 16 in December. Britain and France are also considering similar restrictions.
Sanchez said Spain has joined a group of five European countries called the “Coalition of the Digitally Willing”. The coalition will coordinate cross-border rules and enforcement. Its first meeting is expected soon.
Spain will introduce new laws to hold social media executives accountable. They will be responsible for illegal content, hate speech, and manipulation of algorithms.
Platforms must implement meaningful age-verification methods instead of simple checkbox confirmations. The law will criminalize the amplification of illegal content and provide tools for prosecutors to investigate violations.
