Spain Plans To Join In On Under 16 Social Media Ban

Its looking like Spain will be next country that wants to ban social media access for children under 16. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez spoke about the idea during the World Governments Summit in Dubai, as reported by Reuters and the BBC. The proposal needs approval from Spain’s parliament before it can take effect.

Sánchez says these online platforms are places that children were never meant to navigate with no supervision. He said Spain would no longer accept that situation and would act to protect young people. His comments framed the proposal as a response to harm that has to do with online content- this time around isn’t just another culture fight.

The Spanish leader also talked about bringing on stricter duties for tech companies. Platforms would need tougher age checks, and company bosses could face personal responsibility for illegal or harmful material hosted on their platforms.

How Would The Ban Work In Practice?

The proposal places responsibility on social media companies to restrict under 16s from accessing their platforms. Age verification systems would need to improve, Sánchez said, so children cannot easily sign up using false details. The BBC reported that the rules would cover mainstream platforms rather than private messaging services.

Sánchez said company leaders should answer for content that spreads hate or causes harm. Reuters quoted him saying, “Our children are exposed to a space they were never meant to navigate alone … We will no longer accept that.” He added, “We will protect them from the digital Wild West.”

The plan faces political difficulty because Spain’s coalition government does not have a majority in parliament, making approval uncertain. The BBC said Sánchez hoped lawmakers would debate the bill as soon as next week, though support across parties looks uneven.

Tech companies have, of course, pushed back. Reuters said Google, TikTok, Snapchat and Meta did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Snapchat later said Australia’s ban left gaps, pointing to limits in age checks and the chance that children move to unregulated apps.

Why Are Other Countries Watching Spain?

Spain’s proposal goes together with other such actions across Europe and beyond. Reuters reported that Greece is close to announcing a similar ban for children under 15. France and Britain have also discussed tougher rules, and Denmark and Ireland have signalled interest, according to the BBC.

Australia set the pace in December 2025 when it barred social media use for under 16s. That decision made Australia the first country to take such a step nationwide. The BBC showed mixed reactions from young people there, with questions about fairness and enforcement.

Leaders say child wellbeing sits at the heart of these moves. Governments and regulators around the world are examining screen time and mental health, Reuters reported. Sánchez linked Spain’s proposal to that global debate during his Dubai speech.

The reaction has not stayed polite with Elon Musk attacking Sánchez in posts on X, calling him “a tyrant and a traitor to the people of Spain,” Reuters reported. He later escalated the language, writing, “Sánchez is the true fascist totalitarian.”

Lawmakers across Europe now face pressure from parents, teachers and campaigners. Spain’s debate will test how far governments can go in setting age limits online, and how far platforms can adapt their systems to enforce them without driving young users elsewhere.