According to the official, such a ban would be part of a package of measures to combat abuse of large digital platforms and create a safe environment for children. Networks must implement effective age verification systems and device manufacturers must implement free parental controls.
The government also plans to hold platform executives legally accountable for illegal and “hateful” content, audit Grok, TikTok and Instagram, criminalize algorithm manipulation and create a system to track the “trail of hate and polarization.” Sánchez noted the importance of strengthening the European Union, NATO and the UN for Spain's security and digital sovereignty.
The opposition PP party called on the government to pass the law and support additional measures, in particular, limiting access to social networks for teenagers 14-16 years old with parental consent and a nightly digital “time out”.
Context
The first country in the world to ban social networks for children up to 16 years oldbecame Australia. Parents and child welfare groups there supported the ban, while tech companies and free speech advocates criticized it.
