The Spanish government has announced plans to prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, as part of broader efforts to tighten digital regulation and protect minors online.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez made the disclosure on Tuesday while speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. He said the government was preparing new legislation aimed at safeguarding young people and curbing the growing influence of major technology companies.
Spain is also considering legal measures that would hold social media executives personally responsible for hate speech published on their platforms. The proposals, if adopted, would place the country among a growing list of nations seeking stricter controls on children’s use of social media.
Spain’s move comes amid similar discussions in countries such as Britain and France. In December, Australia became the first country in the world to ban access to social media platforms for users under the age of 16.
Governments and regulators globally have increased scrutiny of the impact of excessive screen time and online exposure on children’s mental health and development.
“Our children are exposed to a space they were never meant to navigate alone… We will no longer accept that,” Sanchez said during his address.
He said the government planned firm action to shield minors from online dangers.
“We will protect them from the digital Wild West,” he said, while calling on other European countries to introduce similar protections.
The prime minister also revealed that Spain had joined five other European nations in what he described as the “Coalition of the Digitally Willing,” a group focused on cooperation and enforcement of cross-border digital regulation.
According to Sanchez, the coalition is expected to hold its first meeting in the coming days, although he did not name the participating countries. His office did not immediately provide further details.
“We know that this is a battle that far exceeds the boundaries of any country,” Sanchez said, as he stressed the importance of international cooperation in regulating global technology firms.
Sanchez, one of the few remaining centre-left leaders in Europe, has repeatedly criticised the influence of social media companies. Last year, he described platform owners as a “techno-caste” and accused them of “poisoning society” through algorithms that promote harmful content.
At the European Union level, the Digital Services Act, which became fully effective in early 2024, already requires large online platforms to take greater responsibility for content moderation and the management of systemic risks.
Critics, however, warn that tighter regulation could lead to overreach and censorship, highlighting the continuing debate between online safety and freedom of expression.
Representatives of X, Google, TikTok, Snapchat and Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Spain’s proposed measures.
