Spain’s government has put forward a comprehensive law aimed at safeguarding children from online threats, featuring innovative measures such as virtual restraining orders for offenders and raising the minimum age for opening social media accounts. Justice Minister Félix Bolaños presented the proposal, emphasizing the paramount importance of protecting children’s well-being and security in the digital age.
The initiative comes in response to mounting concerns over incidents of online sexual violence and abuse, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to describe the situation as an “authentic epidemic” of pornography targeting minors. Statistics reveal alarming rates of exposure to explicit online content among children, underscoring the urgent need for robust legislative measures.
Among the key provisions of the proposed law are stricter penalties for individuals sharing pornographic material with minors and the creation of “deepfake” images aimed at sexually exploiting victims. Additionally, the legislation targets “grooming” practices employed by sexual predators to manipulate and victimize minors.
To curb online offenses, convicted criminals engaging in felonies via the internet would be subject to virtual restraining orders, prohibiting them from contacting victims online and restricting certain online activities. Furthermore, the bill seeks to raise the minimum age for opening social media accounts from 14 to 16, while mandating technological companies to implement age verification and parental controls on their platforms.
In tandem with regulatory measures, the law underscores the importance of education in fostering digital literacy and promoting safe online behavior among children. Teachers will receive training on internet safety to better equip students with the necessary skills to navigate the digital landscape responsibly. Public awareness campaigns will also be launched to address concerns related to digital addiction, abuse, and privacy.
Catalina Perazzo of Save The Children hailed the bill as a crucial step towards integrating digital safety education into school curricula, emphasizing the parallels between sexual education and online safety. By prioritizing the ethical use of digital platforms, Spain aims to mitigate the risks posed by online threats and create a safer environment for its youth.