Spain is preparing to ban children under 16 from using social media, in a move aimed at curbing online harassment and protecting mental health. The bill, set for parliamentary discussion, has broad political support, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez citing a study showing that one in four students has experienced online harassment.
The legislation targets platforms including WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, and even adult-oriented services like OnlyFans, where some children under 16 reportedly have accounts. According to UNICEF research, 33% of Spanish children aged 12–16 have accessed pornographic content, and 5% maintain accounts on OnlyFans.
Experts warn that children’s developing brains struggle to regulate impulses online, causing addiction to likes and constant social comparison. Psychologist Ana Asiain explains that this trend reduces sleep quality and weakens social skills, while the nonprofit ANAR reports growing mental health concerns linked to excessive social media use.
To enforce the law, technologists are exploring biometric verification systems, such as facial recognition linked to ID cards, to prevent children from bypassing age restrictions. The bill would require platforms to deactivate an estimated 400,000 accounts currently used by underage users.
While tech companies argue that parental oversight, rather than government intervention, should address these risks, experts stress the shared responsibility between platforms and families to protect minors in the digital space.
