The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) has accelerated its political agenda by reactivating the legislative process in Congress to ban social media access for those under 16. This initiative, considered a flagship law of the Executive, aims to toughen regulations on technology platforms and so-called 'techno-oligarchs'.
The proposal, which has been stalled in Congress since late last year despite urgent processing, will be divided into two debate blocks. The first will focus on child protection, while the second will address broader regulation of technology platforms. Currently, the law prohibits access for those under 14 without parental consent, and the intention is to raise this age to 16.
While raising the age limit has some support, including from the PP, there are nuances regarding age verification. The government proposes that platforms implement verification systems, whereas the PP advocates for the Executive itself to regulate such mechanisms.
The second negotiation block, concerning the criminal liability of platform executives, penalization of algorithmic manipulation, and amplification of illegal content, is expected to be more contentious. These measures, promoted by the Prime Minister, aim to strengthen technological regulation.
“"Technology in itself is not neutral because it takes on the face of whoever conceives, finances, regulates, and uses it."
Pope Leo XIV, in his recent encyclical and address to Congress, has emphasized the need to regulate new technologies, stating that 'technology in itself is not neutral because it takes on the face of whoever conceives, finances, regulates, and uses it.' The head of the Executive has highlighted the importance of this issue for human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence.
Despite the initial intention to resume processing next week, an additional week has been granted to parliamentary groups due to the accumulation of committee meetings. The Socialists are optimistic about reaching agreements, although they anticipate needing their investiture partners to bridge differences with the PP on this matter.
