TL:DR – Spain’s Prime Minister Announces Plan to Ban Social Media for Under-16s
• On 4 February 2026, Euronews reported a spike in cyberbullying and self-harm content among children across Europe.
• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced plans to ban social media for under-16s, calling online platforms a “digital wild west.”
• MEPs have recently supported a non-binding report advocating for a minimum age of 16 for social media access.
• Christel Schaldemose stated current platforms expose children to significant risks, urging for stronger online protections.
• Axel Voss opposed a blanket ban, advocating for regulation of content and algorithms instead.
Can a social media ban protect children from online violence and bullying?
On 4 February 2026, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced plans to introduce a ban on social media for users under the age of 16, stating that online platforms function like the “digital wild west” where laws are frequently ignored and harm persists. This announcement comes amid rising concerns across Europe regarding the detrimental impact of social media on children, including a spike in cyberbullying and self-harm content due to addictive algorithms.
The proposal has intensified discussions in the European Parliament, where Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) recently voted on a non-binding report advocating for more robust EU regulations on social media. According to European Parliament Vice-President Christel Schaldemose, who is also the lead rapporteur for the EU’s Digital Services Act, a minimum age of 16 for social media access is essential. She highlighted the risks minors face, stating that platforms expose young users to violence and bullying while exploiting relentless commercial pressure.
Schaldemose argued, “What is illegal offline must also be illegal online,” emphasising that tech companies have failed to act on their own regarding user protection. Conversely, German MEP Axel Voss of the European People’s Party expressed his opposition to a blanket ban, asserting that simply restricting access does not guarantee protection. He proposed a focus on regulating content and algorithms, raising concerns that age bans can easily be navigated and may divert attention from the underlying issues of profit-driven business models.
Voss cautioned that addressing freedom of expression and defining harmful content remains challenging in an already politically divided Europe. The ongoing debate highlights the urgent need for a cohesive regulatory approach to safeguard children online as various countries, including France, Denmark, Greece, and Ireland, explore their own restrictions.
The episode of The Ring discussing these issues was anchored by Méabh Mc Mahon and produced by Luis Albertos and Amaia Echevarria, underscoring the importance of this pressing topic for European policymakers.
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