Spain Announces Ban on Social Media Use for Children Under 16

Madrid. Spain has announced a ban on social media use for children under 16 and will compel platforms to implement strict age-verification systems. With this decision, Spain joins Australia, France, and Denmark in the list of countries adopting stringent policies to protect children from digital risks.

Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez, speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai, stated that children should not be left alone in a digital world filled with addiction, abuse, obscenity, manipulation, and violence, places where they should not be. Calling it a digital wild west, he said the government will now protect children.

Under the new law, social media executives who fail to promptly remove illegal or hateful content will be held criminally responsible. Furthermore, individuals and platforms that spread illegal content through algorithms will also be penalized.

The legislative process will begin next week. Previously, in December, Australia banned 10 platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram, for those under 16. The UK, France, and Denmark have also moved forward with similar steps.

S\[\u00e1nchez announced that Spain, along with six other European countries, will work together to make social media regulation even stricter and more coordinated.