Spain is moving forward with plans to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. The proposal is part of a wider effort to protect young people from online harms, including cyberbullying, addiction, and exposure to inappropriate content.

“We will protect them from the digital Wild West,” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Tuesday.

The government says the measure would require stricter age verification and place greater responsibility on technology companies to prevent underage access. Officials argue that current safeguards are weak and that parents are often left to manage risks on their own.

The plan has sparked debate across the country. Supporters say it will help protect children’s mental health and development, while critics question how the ban would be enforced and whether it could limit digital education and social interaction.

If approved, the policy would place Spain among a growing number of countries taking tougher action on children’s online safety, as governments worldwide grapple with the influence of social media on young users.

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