Spanish Government Faces Backlash Over Social Media Ban for Under-16s
The Spanish government's decision to ban social media for under-16s has sparked intense backlash from social media owners and political debates about digital democracy and youth protection.
- • Pedro Sánchez announced a ban on social media access for individuals under 16 years old.
- • Sira Rego supports restricting social media for youth, citing rights violations and undemocratic digital leadership.
- • Elon Musk called Sánchez a 'tyrant' and 'traitor to the Spanish people' in response to the ban.
- • Telegram's owner accused the government of imposing a 'surveillance state' with these measures.
Key details
Spain's government continues to face significant political controversy following Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's announcement to ban social media access for individuals under 16 years old. This move sparked strong reactions from key social media figures, including Elon Musk, owner of X, who sharply criticized Sánchez, calling him a "tyrant" and a "traitor to the Spanish people." Meanwhile, the owner of Telegram issued a mass alert accusing the Spanish government of imposing a "surveillance state."
Sira Rego, Spain's Minister of Youth and Childhood, publicly supported limiting and potentially banning social media platform X for youth and the general population. She described the current digital space as "undemocratic" and dominated by a handful of "digital leaders," emphasizing that fundamental rights are being seriously violated on these platforms. Rego voiced her position during a digital activism event organized by Catalunya En Comú.
This ongoing debate highlights significant tensions in Spain around digital media regulation and youth protection online. Government efforts to restrict social media access reflect concerns about young people's exposure to potential harms, but industry leaders and platform owners view these measures as repression and control. The political discourse is underscored by calls from the Minister of Youth for more democratic governance of digital spaces against accusations from major platform owners that the government is enacting surveillance-like policies.
The controversy remains a focal point in Spanish politics as the government balances youth protection, democratic values, and freedom of digital expression in a rapidly evolving online environment.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
