The Spanish government has proposed a new law aimed at protecting children from online threats, which includes measures such as virtual restraining orders for offenders, increased age requirements for social media account creation, and health screenings for teenagers to detect emotional disorders related to internet use. The Justice Minister, Félix Bolaños, emphasized the importance of safeguarding children’s well-being in the digital age.
The proposal comes in response to growing public concern over cases of sexual violence and abuse connected to the internet, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez describing a concerning rise in online pornography aimed at minors. The government has already implemented restrictions on cellphone use in elementary schools and mandated educational justifications for their use in high schools.
Key aspects of the bill include creating specific criminal offenses for sharing pornographic material with minors, combating the use of “deepfake” technology for abusive purposes, and addressing grooming by sexual predators targeting minors online. Additionally, convicted criminals who use the internet to commit offenses would face virtual restraining orders and activity bans.
The legislation also aims to increase the minimum age for opening social media accounts from 14 to 16 and requires tech companies to implement age verification and parental controls on their platforms. Education initiatives will be launched to train teachers on internet safety and raise awareness about digital addiction, abuse, and privacy risks.
Supporters of the bill, such as non-profit organization Save The Children, stress the importance of promoting responsible and ethical digital behavior through education. The government will need the support of other parties to pass the proposed law, highlighting the collaborative effort to protect children in Spain from online hazards.
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