Spain Announces Plan to Ban Social Media Access for Children Under 16
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced the government’s intention to prohibit access to social media platforms for individuals under the age of 16. This legislative move aims to strengthen the protection of minors in the digital space and directly follows the regulatory example recently set by Australia. The proposal is designed to address growing concerns regarding the impact of algorithmic content, screen addiction, and cyberbullying on the mental health and development of adolescents.
Currently, the minimum age to legally consent to data processing for social media use in Spain is 14, though enforcement has historically relied on easily bypassed self-declaration systems. The new framework seeks to raise this threshold and implies the implementation of rigorous age verification technologies to prevent underage access. This initiative aligns Spain with a global shift toward stricter internet governance, mirroring Australia’s recent landmark legislation and ongoing discussions within the European Union under the Digital Services Act (DSA) regarding the liability of tech platforms for harmful content.
Despite the government’s focus on child safety, the proposal faces significant practical and ethical objections from digital rights experts and technology analysts. Critics argue that effective implementation would require invasive age verification systems, such as uploading government identification or biometric scanning, which raises serious privacy concerns for all users, regardless of age. Furthermore, skepticism remains regarding the technical feasibility of a total ban, as tech-savvy youth may circumvent restrictions using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) or accounts registered by older peers. Opponents also contend that a blanket prohibition shifts responsibility away from platforms to design safer environments and may hinder the development of necessary digital literacy skills among teenagers.
