Spain Considers Social Media Ban for Kids Under 16

Spain is the latest country to express interest in crafting laws to protect children under 16 from harm on the internet

Spain has joined a growing list of countries weighing stricter regulations on social media use for children under 16 — a move that’s reigniting global debate over kids’ digital safety and the role of tech companies.

On February 3, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed they are exploring possible regulations, signaling a tougher stance on what many leaders now call an unregulated online space for children.

Protecting kids from the “digital Wild West”

Speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai, Sánchez framed the proposal as a necessary safeguard for young people.

“We will protect them from the digital Wild West,” Sánchez said.

The proposed restriction would still need parliamentary approval and is expected to be debated in the coming weeks. Notably, it could also hold tech company executives accountable for illegal content hosted on their platforms.

Sánchez emphasized that children can no longer be left alone with tablets or smartphones without safeguards, pointing to the volume and nature of harmful content online.

“Our children are exposed to a space they were never meant to navigate alone… We will no longer accept that.”

Greece, meanwhile, is expected to make an official announcement soon, according to a Reuters report.

Elon Musk pushes back

The proposal quickly drew criticism from X owner Elon Musk, who publicly attacked Sánchez, calling him a “tyrant and a traitor to the people of Spain.” He later escalated his remarks, labeling the Spanish leader a “fascist totalitarian.”

So far, other major tech companies have not publicly responded to Spain’s proposal.

Why parents around the world are paying attention

As more governments consider social media limits for children, families everywhere are watching closely — especially as these policies could reshape daily routines, screen time rules, and even family dynamics.

Australia became the first country to formally pass similar restrictions, and its government has stood firm despite heavy pushback from the tech industry.

“These companies have come to this regime, if you will, kicking and screaming — very, very reluctantly,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant told BBC News last month.

Still, enforcement hasn’t been seamless. Some Australian teens admit they’ve found ways around the ban, with one telling the Australian Broadcasting Channel, “It’s completely useless.” Others report that their accounts haven’t yet been restricted at all.

The Australian government says it continues to monitor the rollout and is exploring ways to strengthen enforcement.

Everyone’s watching what comes next

With Spain now considering similar measures, the big question remains: will these restrictions actually work?

In the meantime, experts stress that policy alone isn’t enough. Parents still play a critical role — setting device safeguards, checking in on what kids are consuming, and having ongoing conversations about online risks.

You can’t monitor everything, and you won’t be there every moment. But reminding kids why certain content isn’t appropriate — and what the real-world consequences can be — remains one of the most powerful tools parents have.

More on social media restrictions

Why the UK Is Rethinking Social Media for Children
Denmark Joins Global Push to Keep Kids Off Social Media Before Age 15
Malaysia Considers Social Media Ban for Kids Below 16