Spain to ban social media for under-16s, requiring age checks and holding executives accountable.

Spain plans to ban social media access for children under 16, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced at the World Government Summit in Dubai. Next week, the new law will be introduced, requiring platforms to confirm users' ages and prevent minors from accessing them. Sánchez referred to the internet as a "digital Wild West," citing worries about youth safety and the unregulated nature of online spaces. Additionally, social media executives will be held responsible by the government for offensive content. This comes after a similar ban was implemented in Australia in December 2025, and Britain and France are contemplating similar policies in light of growing international concern over the negative effects of social media on the mental health of youth.