Spain Plans Ban on Social Media Access for Under-16s

Spain’s government has announced new measures to restrict social media access for minors under 16, reflecting a broader policy trend among several countries to regulate online platforms for young users.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the proposed ban on February 3, 2026, during the World Government Summit in Dubai. The plan includes a requirement for social media platforms to adopt more advanced age-verification systems, moving beyond basic self-declaration methods.

The government also stated its intention to introduce legislation that would hold social media executives criminally responsible for illegal or hateful content appearing on their platforms. The proposed law would also address algorithmic practices by criminalizing the manipulation and amplification of illegal content.

In addition to domestic measures, Spain plans to join a coalition of six European countries to coordinate regulatory efforts targeting social media platforms. This multinational approach aims to align enforcement and standards across borders.

What the numbers show

• Spain’s proposed age threshold for social media use is under 16
• Australia enacted a similar ban for under-16s in December 2025
• France approved a ban for under-15s, effective September 2026

Australia implemented its own restrictions on social media access for children under 16 in December 2025. France has also moved to limit social media use for minors, with a law banning access for those under 15 set to take effect in September 2026.

The Spanish government’s plan requires platforms to develop robust age-verification mechanisms. According to the announcement, these systems must go beyond simple checkboxes to more reliably confirm users’ ages.

The upcoming legislative proposal is expected to outline criminal liability for executives if illegal or hateful content is found on their platforms. The government also plans to address algorithmic activity by targeting the amplification of such content.

Spain’s intention to participate in a coalition with other European countries signals an effort to coordinate regulatory approaches. This coalition is expected to focus on multinational enforcement and the development of shared standards for social media governance.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.