Spain Moves to Ban Social Media for Under-16s, Eyeing Protection for Young Users

In an effort to protect minors from harmful online content, Spain plans to ban social media access for children under 16. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticized tech companies for failing to regulate illegal content. Spain will join other countries in implementing age verification measures for social media platforms.

In a bold move to protect young users, Spain is set to ban social media access for children under the age of 16. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the plan, criticizing the biggest tech companies for allowing harmful and illegal content to proliferate across their platforms.

Sánchez highlighted the necessity for governments to take a stand against unregulated online spaces that can expose vulnerable young people to risks. Several other countries, including France and Australia, have already implemented similar measures to restrict minors' access to these platforms.

The Spanish government will require social media companies to enforce the ban with rigorous age verification systems, moving beyond simple check boxes. The proposal will be debated by the Spanish Parliament, with Sánchez's coalition striving for approval to further its digital protections for minors.

(With inputs from agencies.)