Spain has raised to 16 years old the minimum age to create profiles on social networks

The Spanish Council of Ministers approved a draft of the organic law for the protection of minors in the digital environment at the beginning of June. The new legislative package increases the minimum age for the treatment of personal data from 14 to 16 years old. As a result, children and young people under the age of 16 will no longer be able to have social media accounts without consent from a parent or legal guardian.

According to newspaper El País, the European Law for Data Protection allows member states to set the minimum age between 13 and 16 years old. Spain opted for the maximum age allowed. The justification for the decision is presented in the final version of the approved document, quoted by El País: “the evolution, not only of digital technology but also of its use by minors under 16 years old was so exponential that given the maturity it requires, its early use may be inappropriate”.

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