Spain has become the latest European country to make plans to ban social media for children under the age of 16. 'We will protect them from the digital Wild West,' Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said at the World Government's Summit in Dubai on Tuesday. The ban, which still requires parliamentary approval, is part of a series of proposed changes designed to make social media safer for children by holding company executives accountable for harmful content.
Australia became the world's first country to implement such a ban last year, prompting discussions in other nations, including France, Denmark, and Austria, which are also considering similar measures. The UK government has launched a consultation to explore the feasibility of instituting a ban for minors as well.
Sánchez emphasized that today's children are subjected to online spaces that they should not have to navigate alone, citing addiction, abuse, and manipulation as prevalent issues in social media. The new laws would demand real age verification measures that go beyond simple checks and would penalize the amplification of illegal content through manipulation of algorithms. This regulatory push aims to address the significant challenges posed by digital platforms that often exploit vulnerabilities in youth.
While Sánchez seeks to pass these laws quickly, navigating political opposition may prove challenging, particularly as the ruling coalition does not hold a parliamentary majority. Some parties express support for the ban while others, like the far-right Vox party, oppose it. In a recent critique, X owner Elon Musk condemned Sánchez, labeling him as a 'tyrant.' French President Emmanuel Macron has also voiced intentions to establish age restrictions for social media users under 15 by the next school year.
Australia became the world's first country to implement such a ban last year, prompting discussions in other nations, including France, Denmark, and Austria, which are also considering similar measures. The UK government has launched a consultation to explore the feasibility of instituting a ban for minors as well.
Sánchez emphasized that today's children are subjected to online spaces that they should not have to navigate alone, citing addiction, abuse, and manipulation as prevalent issues in social media. The new laws would demand real age verification measures that go beyond simple checks and would penalize the amplification of illegal content through manipulation of algorithms. This regulatory push aims to address the significant challenges posed by digital platforms that often exploit vulnerabilities in youth.
While Sánchez seeks to pass these laws quickly, navigating political opposition may prove challenging, particularly as the ruling coalition does not hold a parliamentary majority. Some parties express support for the ban while others, like the far-right Vox party, oppose it. In a recent critique, X owner Elon Musk condemned Sánchez, labeling him as a 'tyrant.' French President Emmanuel Macron has also voiced intentions to establish age restrictions for social media users under 15 by the next school year.
