Madrid – A proposed ban on social media access for individuals under the age of 16 in Spain has ignited a diplomatic dispute, drawing a scathing rebuke from Elon Musk, owner of the platform X. The move, announced by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on , is part of a wider effort to regulate online content and protect minors from harmful digital environments.
Sánchez, speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, framed the proposal as a necessary step to address what he described as a “digital wild west,” where laws are routinely disregarded and criminal activity flourishes unchecked. He argued that urgent action is needed to shield children from the negative impacts of social media, citing the proliferation of hate speech, pornography and disinformation. “Our children are exposed to a space they were never meant to navigate alone… We will no longer accept that,” Sánchez stated. He also highlighted Spain’s participation in a “coalition of the digitally willing” – a group of six European nations coordinating cross-border regulation, though the specific members of this coalition remain undisclosed.
The response from Elon Musk was swift and direct. Posting on X, Musk initially labelled Sánchez a “tyrant” and a “traitor to the people of Spain,” accompanied by an emoji depicting excrement. He later escalated his criticism, stating, “Sánchez is the true fascist totalitarian.” The outburst followed Sánchez’s criticism of Musk’s own platform, X, for allegedly amplifying disinformation regarding Spain’s recent regularization of 500,000 undocumented workers and asylum seekers. Sánchez pointed out the irony of Musk’s critique, given his own status as a migrant.
The proposed ban would be implemented through amendments to existing legislation concerning digital protection for minors currently under parliamentary debate, according to a government spokesperson. The plan also includes provisions to hold social media platform executives criminally liable for failing to remove illegal or hateful content, potentially exposing them to prosecution. Spanish prosecutors will investigate potential legal infractions by Grok, TikTok, and Instagram, following reports of AI-generated content, including allegations of non-consensual sexual imagery involving minors.
Spain’s initiative is not occurring in isolation. It reflects a growing trend across Europe towards stricter regulation of social media and greater protection for young users. Greece is reportedly nearing a similar ban for those under 15, while both Britain and France are actively considering more robust measures. Australia, in , became the first country to implement a nationwide ban on social media access for individuals under 16.
The Spanish government’s move has prompted varied reactions from experts and industry representatives. Representatives from Google, TikTok, Snapchat, and Meta have yet to issue official statements regarding the proposals. Diana Diaz, director of the ANAR Foundation for at-risk children and adolescents, suggested the regulation would empower parents to establish clearer boundaries and alleviate social pressures on children concerned about missing out. However, Jose Cesar Perales, a professor of experimental psychology at the University of Granada, cautioned that there is no universal consensus on the detrimental effects of social media on adolescents.
Public opinion in Spain appears to favour greater restrictions on minors’ social media access. An Ipsos poll conducted in revealed that 82 percent of Spaniards believe children under 14 should be prohibited from using social media platforms, a significant increase from 73 percent in 2024. This growing public concern underscores the impetus behind the government’s proposed legislation.
The unfolding situation highlights the increasing tension between governments seeking to regulate the digital sphere and technology companies asserting their autonomy. Musk’s forceful response underscores the potential for conflict as European nations move towards a more assertive stance on social media regulation, raising questions about the future of online freedom and the responsibilities of platform owners in safeguarding vulnerable users.
