This is how the Spanish government, through its highest “spokesperson” Pedro Sánchez, announced the ban on social media for minors under 16, forcing platforms to implement age verification systems:
Changing digital childhood in Europe
The Spanish government’s decision promises to change the digital landscape for “Generation Alpha” in the neighboring country, with measures that are not just recommendations or a guide to best practices; it is actually a law that will put Spain at the forefront of what is increasingly a trend in various regions, in the sense of protecting young people’s mental health against the infinite scroll propagated by giants such as Meta, TikTok, and X.
The end of the “age of consent” at 14
Until now, Spanishlaw allowed 14-year-olds to create profiles without supervision.
The new law raises the bar, arguing that the emotional maturity needed to deal with dopamine algorithms, cyberbullying, and unrealistic aesthetic standards is not present in early adolescence.
But what will change in practice?
The main measure that the Spanish government wants to see implemented by tech giants is identity verification, so that it is more robust and more difficult for young people to circumvent.
Another action is to hold platforms accountable, with social networks that allow children under 16 to register facing heavy fines, forcing them to invest in age recognition technology .
With regard to the parental role, the law reinforces that access between the ages of 14 and 16 (which was previously free) now requires explicit and technical validation from legal guardians.
Why now? Will Portugal follow suit?
This decision comes after an alarming increase in cases of anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia among young Spaniards, with leading experts in these areas pointing out that passive consumption of AI-optimized content creates an addiction comparable to chemical substances.
Portugal may be one of the next countries to adopt similar measures, although in our country, the debate still focuses heavily on the use of cell phones in schools.
However, the current executive has already presented a bill to Parliament that aims to prohibit access to social media for minors under 16, requiring parental intervention, more or less similar to what our brothers presented .
How you can protect “yours” today… (without waiting for the law)
While the legislation has not yet crossed the border to this side, there are steps you can start implementing today:
- Setting up Parental Controls:
- Critical Literacy:
- Screen-Free Zones:
What about you? Do you also agree with this measure by the Spanish government? Would you like to see it applied in our country? Tell us your opinion on our WhatsApp channel!