The Spanish government has announced plans to ban children below the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the move is aimed at protecting minors from harmful content, online addiction, cyberbullying and digital exploitation. He described the current online environment as a “digital wild west” that requires stricter regulation to safeguard young users.
Under the proposed plan, social media companies will be required to introduce strict age-verification mechanisms to ensure that children under 16 cannot create or operate accounts. The government has indicated that simple self-declaration of age will no longer be considered sufficient, and platforms will be held responsible for enforcing the rules.
The Spanish government is also considering broader legal reforms to improve online safety. These include holding social media executives accountable for illegal or harmful content and addressing the role of algorithms that amplify dangerous or inappropriate material. The proposal is part of a wider European effort to strengthen digital regulations and protect children’s mental health and well-being.
The proposal will be placed before Parliament for approval. If implemented, Spain would join a growing list of countries that are taking steps to impose age-based restrictions on social media use in order to create a safer online environment for minors.
