Spain and Greece Plan Teen Social Media Bans Amid Safety Fears

Spain and Greece are considering new laws that would block access to social media for young teenagers, joining a rising tide of concern across Europe over the impact of digital platforms on children’s mental health. These proposed age-based restrictions come as more governments weigh how to protect minors from harmful online content and screen overuse.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, recently announced plans to ban social media use for individuals under the age of 16. In Greece, a senior government official revealed that similar measures are being drafted to restrict access for those younger than 15. These initiatives reflect growing support across the continent for tighter online safeguards, mirroring Australia’s recent crackdown on youth social media access.

Rising support for stricter rules on youth Internet use

According to Sanchez, the planned restrictions would strengthen parents’ ability to set digital boundaries while easing social pressure on teenagers to remain constantly connected. Experts say such legislation could help establish clear, consistent rules that support families in managing their children’s online activity.

Diana Diaz, who leads the ANAR Foundation, an organization that works with vulnerable youth in Spain, noted that legal clarity is vital. She said national rules could remove the burden from parents who often struggle to enforce limits on their own.

Spain is also preparing additional legislation aimed at holding technology executives personally responsible for harmful content on their platforms, such as hate speech. The proposed legal changes come amid rising public concern over online safety and the perceived inaction of large tech firms in policing their networks.

Although major companies, including Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, X, and Google, have not publicly responded to the Spanish proposals, Snapchat previously criticized similar moves in Australia, arguing that current age verification tools are not reliable and could push users toward less regulated platforms.

Joint European efforts seek unified digital oversight

In addition to national reforms, Spain is working with five other European countries to develop a coordinated approach to regulating social media. Pedro Sanchez emphasized the need for shared action, stating that online harms do not stop at national borders and require collective solutions.

The debate around youth safety on digital platforms has gained urgency following reports that Grok, an AI chatbot linked to Elon Musk, produced inappropriate and nonconsensual images, including depictions of minors. Spanish authorities have confirmed that prosecutors will investigate whether Grok, along with TikTok and Instagram, violated any laws.

The proposed age restriction in Spain would be added to a broader digital safety bill currently under parliamentary review. Public opinion appears to favor such changes. A recent Ipsos survey conducted in 30 countries found that 82% of Spanish respondents support banning social media access for children under 14 — up from 73% two years ago.

Australia’s decision to implement a similar policy has already had a major effect. The country’s internet regulator reported that nearly 5 million teen accounts were removed shortly after its law came into force.