Pedro Sánchez calls for European action to protect children from the harmful effects of social media

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

In his address, the head of the Executive highlighted the extensive scientific, medical, and academic evidence on the harmful effects of social media use and the dangers such as polarisation, image exploitation, addictive consumption, and access to illegal and harmful content that result from children's exposure to social media.

According to a study by UNICEF and the University of Santiago de Compostela, 98% of teenagers in Spain access social media, and nearly 76% do so through three or more applications. Given this reality, limiting the risks associated with minors' use of these platforms has become an urgent priority and a shared objective with other European leaders.

Spain, along with other countries, is leading the way in ensuring safer digital environments for everyone, particularly for children. In this regard, Pedro Sánchez outlined the initiatives the Government is developing, such as adapting regulations to establish a minimum age of 16 years for accessing social media platforms, defining new offences, regulating the obligation of digital operators to implement parental control systems, and strengthening accountability.

President Sánchez stressed that national initiatives also require joint action at the European level to avoid fragmentation and a loss of effectiveness. In this regard, Spain wants to move forward jointly with its European Union partners; therefore, it has actively contributed to the development of the pilot phase of an age verification app presented this week by the President of the Commission.

The President of the Government of Spain welcomed the announcement, stating that this milestone represents a significant step in the right direction. Spain now demands progress in establishing a minimum age for social media access throughout the European Union.

Non official translation