Madrid: Spain has decided to impose a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16 as part of stricter measures to protect minors online.
According to international media reports, the Spanish government is introducing tough new regulations that will require social media platforms to implement mandatory age-verification systems.
The Spanish Prime Minister said the new measures aim to safeguard children from the risks associated with social media, including harmful content and negative impacts on mental health.
He also urged other European countries to adopt similar policies to ensure the protection of minors across the region.
The Prime Minister revealed that Spain has joined the “Coalition for Digital Wellbeing” alongside five other countries to better coordinate cross-border digital regulations.
Australia became the first country to impose a nationwide ban on social media use for children under 16 in December.
Following this move, several other countries have begun taking steps to introduce age-based restrictions on social media platforms.
Spain is also preparing to table a bill that will hold social media executives accountable for illegal content, criminalize algorithmic manipulation, and mandate robust age-verification mechanisms across digital platforms.
Meanwhile, Greece is expected to announce a ban on social media use for children under 15 in the near future. Senior government sources told Reuters on Tuesday that Greece is “very close” to making the announcement.
Globally, growing concerns over children’s mental health and rising negative online trends have prompted governments to introduce restrictions, reforms, and stricter legal frameworks for social media regulation.
France
In France, the lower house of parliament has overwhelmingly approved a bill banning social media use for children under 15. However, the legislation still requires approval from the Senate before it can be enforced.
According to Reuters, the move is aimed at protecting children from online harassment, psychological stress, and increasing mental health risks.
The bill was passed with 116 votes in favor and 23 against. It will now be debated in the Senate before returning to the lower house for final approval.
The bill states that excessive social media use among minors has led to an alarming rise in mental health issues, making regulatory intervention unavoidable.
It also proposes extending the existing ban on smartphone use in middle schools to high schools.
United Arab Emirates
In the United Arab Emirates, a new Child Digital Safety Law has been implemented to ensure safer online environments for children.
According to Gulf News, the law prohibits the use of personal data of children under 13 without explicit, written, and verifiable parental consent.
The legislation also requires social media platforms to provide parents with an easy and immediate option to withdraw consent at any time, without the need to provide justification.
