Spain moves to restrict youth access to platforms
Spain will ban access to social media platforms for children under the age of 16 and require companies to implement strict age-verification systems, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Tuesday. The move places Spain alongside Australia, France, and Denmark in a growing international effort to curb the influence of digital platforms on minors.
Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Sánchez described the online environment as a dangerous and unregulated space for children. “Our children are exposed to a space they were never meant to navigate alone,” he said, citing risks including addiction, abuse, pornography, manipulation, and violence.
Criminal liability for platform executives
Beyond age restrictions, Spain plans to introduce legislation that would make social media executives criminally liable if their platforms fail to remove illegal or hateful content. The government also intends to impose sanctions on individuals and companies that amplify illegal material, including through recommendation algorithms.
“We will turn algorithmic manipulation and amplification of illegal content into a new criminal offense,” Sánchez said. He added that spreading hate online must carry tangible consequences, signaling a tougher enforcement stance against platform practices that drive engagement through polarizing or unlawful material.
New tools to measure hate and polarization
Among the proposed measures is the creation of a so-called “hate and polarization footprint.” According to Sánchez, this system would track and quantify how digital platforms contribute to social division and the spread of hateful content. The aim is to give regulators clearer metrics to assess the societal impact of platform algorithms.
The legislative process is set to begin next week, with the government expected to outline technical standards for age verification and enforcement mechanisms for content moderation.
Part of a wider international trend
Spain’s decision follows similar actions elsewhere. In December, Australia became the first country to implement a nationwide social media ban for under-16s, restricting access to platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and X. France and Denmark have announced plans to block under-15s from social media, while the United Kingdom is actively considering comparable restrictions.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently said he wanted a ban in place before the next school year, highlighting growing political urgency around child safety online.
European coordination on enforcement
Sánchez said Spain has joined forces with five other European countries committed to tougher and faster regulation of social media companies. While he did not name the countries, he confirmed that the group will meet in the coming days to coordinate cross-border enforcement.
“This is a battle that far exceeds the boundaries of any country,” Sánchez said, framing the initiative as part of a broader European and global effort to rein in the power of digital platforms.
