The Spanish government announced plans to prohibit children under 16 from using social media platforms and implement stronger age verification measures as part of a national strategy to protect minors online. The proposal was unveiled by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his cabinet on February 2, 2026, and is subject to approval by the Spanish Parliament.
Under the proposed legislation, operators of social media services would be required to verify the age of users and prevent access by those who are younger than 16 unless consent is provided by a parent or guardian. The government said the restrictions are aimed at reducing children’s exposure to harmful content and mitigating risks associated with compulsive use of online platforms. Platforms that do not comply could face fines or other regulatory penalties once the law is adopted.
The draft rules form part of a broader digital safety agenda announced by the government, which also includes measures to strengthen privacy protections and data security for minors. Officials argue that age limits on social media would bring Spanish regulation in line with emerging policies in other European countries that have proposed or enacted age-based internet restrictions.
Critics of the proposal have raised concerns about how effective age verification systems can be in practice. Some digital rights advocates warn that techniques to confirm users’ ages may require submission of personal information that could itself pose privacy risks for children. Others have questioned whether age-based bans would push younger users toward unregulated platforms or compromise anonymity.
The Spanish government has said that age verification tools can be designed to minimise the collection of sensitive data and that parental consent mechanisms will be central to implementation. Authorities indicated that technical standards and compliance requirements would be developed in consultation with industry and civil society groups before the legislation is finalised.
Parliamentary debate on the draft law is expected in the coming months. Lawmakers will consider amendments and assess the legal framework needed to enforce access restrictions for minors. If the measure is adopted as proposed, social media platforms operating in Spain would need to adjust registration and verification processes to comply with the age threshold before enforcement dates are set.
The announcement reflects wider discussions across Europe about children’s online safety. Governments in several countries have recently examined policies on minimum age limits, age verification systems, and safeguards for underage users as part of efforts to address online harms. The Spanish proposal is one of the most comprehensive national initiatives to date.