Spain, Greece Push Teen Social Media Bans as Musk Slams Plan
Spain, Greece Push Teen Social Media Bans as Musk Slams Plan
Spain and Greece move to curb teen access to social platforms, amid debates on safety and freedom, drawing a sharp response from Elon Musk.
Spain and Greece are moving to restrict social media use for teenagers, signaling Europe’s tougher stance on digital safety. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a plan to ban social media for under-16s, a proposal he described during remarks at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. Greece is close to announcing a similar restriction for children under 15, according to a senior government source. In addition to the age limits, Sánchez said Spain would create a law that holds social media executives personally responsible for hate speech on their platforms.
The push comes amid broader regulatory pressure over young people’s screen time, mental wellbeing, and exposure to harmful content. A regional snapshot notes that about 82% of Spaniards believe children under 14 should be banned from social media, underscoring public support for stronger controls.
Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), reacted with a volley of criticisms, calling Sánchez a “tyrant and a traitor to the people of Spain” and later labeling him “the true fascist totalitarian.” Other major platforms such as Google, TikTok, Snapchat and Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Regulators worldwide are weighing how to balance safety with access as politicians push for more accountability for online spaces.
The debates are not happening in isolation. The push in Spain and Greece follows discussions in Britain and France about tougher stances, with Australia earlier moving to prohibit access for under-16s. Proponents argue that protecting children from the digital “Wild West” is urgent; opponents worry about overreach and evading enforcement.
Ultimately, supporters say the laws would set a clear standard for platform responsibility and create safer digital environments for youth, while critics warn they could push teens toward unregulated, less-visible spaces. The story remains dynamic as governments refine age verification, enforcement, and the real-world impact on families and daily online life.
