20minutos asked parents about ban of social media for children

On 3 February, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the ban on access to social media for children under the age of 16 in Spain. A journalist from the publication 20minutos conducted a street survey and asked parents how they felt about the Spanish government's new measure.

Most of those surveyed expressed support for the ban. In their opinion, social media is dangerous for minors. ‘It's fair and necessary. I don't think children should use social media. We, as parents, can't always control how our children use it,’ said one respondent.

‘I hope it will be useful. Anything that restricts,  prohibits, and protection is beneficial,’ said another respondent. Another man added that until the age of 16, teenagers are not mature enough to use social media responsibly and called the Spanish authorities' measure ‘balanced’.

One of the respondents noted that ‘it is important to protect minors and ensure that they have access to content at an age when they are ready to perceive it.’ A man responding to the question said that he supports the government's initiative, but believes that it will be difficult to completely isolate children from social media and control them.

Other respondents also doubted the effectiveness of the ban. "I'm in favour if it really works. Banning for the sake of banning is pointless. There are no real mechanisms to prevent children from accessing social media. It's similar to the situation with adult content — formally, it's banned, but any child can view it by simply clicking “I am over 18," said one respondent.

‘Anyone with a modicum of common sense understands that with so many cases of teenage bullying, cyberbullying and suicide, this measure is worth supporting. The problem is how to implement it,’ he added.

The Ministry of Youth and Children explained to 20minutos that the ban on social media for children under 16 is already included in a bill that is currently being considered by the Congress of Deputies and will be introduced through an amendment of the law on personal data protection.