Spain Sets Path to Ban Under-16s from Social Media

Thu Feb 05 2026 01:32:11 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Spain plans to introduce a ban on social media for children under the age of 16, aiming to protect them from harmful online content. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has stated that measures will include holding company executives accountable for illegal content.

In a significant move, Spain has announced its intention to ban social media access for individuals under 16 years old, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasizing the need to safeguard children from what he describes as the 'digital Wild West.' The proposed regulations could require social media platforms to implement robust age verification systems and hold executives accountable for harmful content. The ban requires parliamentary approval and coincides with similar initiatives in countries like Australia and France.

Spain has become the latest European nation announcing plans to ban social media for individuals under the age of 16.

We will protect them from the digital Wild West, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. The move aims to safeguard young users from exposure to online predators and harmful content.

This proposed ban, which is pending parliamentary approval, is part of a broader package of legislative changes aimed at overhauling the responsibilities of social media platforms. These changes include holding company executives culpable for illegal or harmful material circulated on their sites.

Australia recently implemented its own ban, becoming the first country to do so, while other nations like France, Denmark, and Austria are also considering similar restrictions.

Besides restricting access, new regulations would mandate social media companies to enforce credible age verification processes, eliminating loopholes that allow minors to bypass checks. Sánchez indicated that any attempts to manipulate algorithms for amplifying illicit content would also face legal repercussions.

Sánchez has expressed urgency in passing these laws, although challenges may arise due to his coalition government's lack of parliamentary majority. The conservative People's Party seems to support the ban, while the far-right Vox party has voiced opposition.

In response to these developments, Elon Musk criticized Sánchez, branding him a tyrant for proposing such restrictions. Major social media platforms, including TikTok and Meta, have been contacted for comments regarding the upcoming rules.

This legislative initiative aligns Spain with a growing trend among European countries to regulate children's interactions with social media, fueled by concerns over their mental well-being and safety in the digital space.