Spain moves to block under-16s from social media platforms

Spain is preparing to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media, as the government steps up efforts to rein in what Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described as an increasingly harmful digital space.

Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Tuesday, Sánchez said social platforms had become unsafe for young users and were no longer being governed responsibly, arguing that stronger state intervention was now unavoidable.

Government targets age checks and platform accountability

Under the new rules, expected to be rolled out next week, social media companies will be required to deploy proper age-verification systems, not just self-declared checkboxes, to prevent minors from signing up. While the government has yet to announce an enforcement timeline, Sánchez said the goal is to “take back control” of digital environments that now play a central role in children’s lives.

He pointed to recent controversies, including AI tools generating sexualised images of minors, allegations of data surveillance by major platforms, and repeated cases of online political interference, as proof that existing safeguards are failing.

Spain says algorithm abuse to become criminal offence

Beyond age limits, Spain plans to criminalise the algorithmic promotion of illegal content and introduce personal liability for tech executives whose platforms host harmful or unlawful material. Sánchez also revealed that Spain is working with five other European countries on coordinated efforts to tighten oversight of social media companies across the region.

Australia Bans Social Media for Under-16s in Global First

He said children have been “pushed into spaces they were never meant to navigate alone,” adding that social media has drifted far from its early promise of promoting global connection and understanding.

Spain’s move follows similar steps elsewhere. Australia enacted a ban on under-16s last year, while the UK is actively considering comparable legislation. Denmark and Malaysia have also announced plans to restrict children’s access to social platforms.

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