The movement began in Australia—where the law came into effect on December 10—and has been quickly supported by several European countries. In France, the ban will begin in September for minors under 15, the same age limit announced by Norway and Denmark.
Now Spain joins the list. During the “World Governments Summit” currently being held in Dubai, President Pedro Sánchez announced that Spain will prohibit social media access for minors under sixteen, requiring digital platforms to implement effective age verification systems. He also announced several legislative and regulatory measures to put an end to the “digital Wild West.”
Raising the social media age limit to 16 is a measure already included in the draft Organic Law for the protection of minors in digital environments. This bill, promoted by the Ministry of Youth and Childhood, is currently being processed in the Congress of Deputies. However, the measures recently announced by the Government also include ending executive impunity, making directors legally responsible for violations committed on the digital platforms they manage. Additionally, manipulating algorithms and amplifying illegal content in exchange for profit will be classified as a crime.
Sánchez has also announced the creation of a tracking, quantification, and traceability system to establish a ‘footprint of hate and polarization.’ ‘Spreading hate must have a legal and economic cost,’ he stated. Lastly, the president assured that the Government, along with the Prosecutor’s Office, will address ways to investigate potential legal infractions by Grok, TikTok, and Instagram.
