Spain moves to ban social‑media access for users under 16

The Spanish government is advancing a bill that would raise the minimum age for accessing social‑media platforms from 14 to 16 years. Under the proposal, platforms must obtain explicit authorization from the Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) and demonstrate that they do not expose minors to harmful content. Parental consent would no longer be sufficient for users in the 14‑16 age bracket if a platform fails to meet these standards.

The draft law also introduces criminal liability for platforms and their senior executives. It defines the algorithmic amplification of illegal or harmful material – such as suicide encouragement, self‑harm, child sexual abuse, hate speech or sexual deep‑fakes – as a punishable offence, and mandates penalties for ignoring court or administrative orders to remove such content. The measures are being debated in the Congress, with coalition parties proposing amendments to strengthen the provisions and to hold “tech‑oligarchs” accountable.