Spain Announces Social Media Ban for Under-16s

On February 3, 2026, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that Spain plans to ban social media for children under the age of 16 using an Australia-style social media ban. He made this announcement at the World Government Summit in Dubai, where he explained why this measure is needed and how it will work.

Purpose of the Ban

Sánchez said social media is harmful to young people. He described social networking sites as a “digital Wild West” where laws are ignored and children are exposed to:

- Addiction

- Abuse

- Violence

- Pornography

- Manipulation

What Does the Proposal Include?

1. Ban on Social Media for Under-16s: Children under 16 would no longer be allowed to use social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and others in Spain.

2. Age Verification Systems: Platforms must install real age-checks to stop under-16s from signing up. These cannot just be simple checkboxes — they must be effective systems.

3. Accountability for Executives: Social media company leaders could be held responsible or prosecuted if their platforms fail to remove illegal or hateful content.

4. Algorithm Regulation: The government wants to make algorithm manipulation (when platforms push harmful content) a criminal offence.

Why Is Spain Doing This?

The government believes:

- Children are being harmed by social media content.

- Tech companies do not do enough to protect young users.

- Stronger laws are needed to protect minors and democracy.

- Spain also wants other European countries to take similar steps.

Global Context

Spain is not the first to propose such a ban.

- Australia already banned social media access for under-16s in December 2025.

- In January, France’s National Assembly recently voted in favor of a bill that would restrict social media access for under-1Gs, but the bill still needs to be approved by the Senate before it officially passes

- Denmark has introduced similar legislation to ban access to social media for users under 15, while the UK said last month it would consider banning young teenagers from social media, as it tightens laws designed to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time.

Reactions to the Proposal

Some tech leaders reacted strongly:

- Elon Musk, the owner of X, called Sánchez a “tyrant and traitor” on social media and criticised the proposed ban.

- Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, said the restrictions could be used to censor critics and reduce internet freedom.

Sánchez responded that the government will not be swayed by tech oligarchs and that democracy should not be influenced by big tech companies.

European Union View

The European Commission has warned that:

- National bans must not conflict with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which already regulates online safety and content moderation.

The DSA aims to protect all Europeans, including children, and countries should avoid adding extra national rules that overlap with EU law.

Note

Spain’s proposal to ban social media use for children under 1G shows a growing concern across the world about the harmful impact of social media on young minds. By announcing this step, the Spanish Prime Minister has clearly stated that protecting children, democracy, and mental health is more important than pressure from powerful tech companies.