Better Internet for Kids

In 2024, the Spanish National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC)  opened a public consultation inviting public opinion on whether the age verification systems used by video platforms in Spain effectively prevent minors under the age of 18 from accessing harmful content such as pornography and gratuitous violence. The public consultation aims to gather comments and input from stakeholders on the applicable criteria for ensuring the suitability of these age verification systems.

Article 197.7 of the Spanish Penal Code criminalises the disclosure of intimate images without the consent of the individuals involved. This provision aims to protect individuals, including children and young people, from the unauthorised sharing of private and sensitive content. Offenders may face criminal charges for violating this provision, including fines and imprisonment. The law was updated in 2015.
(Source: BIK Policy Monitor Report 2024).

Entities responsible for implementation: Ministerio de Justicia.

Digital Spain 2026 is the roadmap for the digital transformation of the country, an ambitious strategy to take full advantage of new technologies and achieve more intense and sustained economic growth, rich in quality employment, with greater productivity and contributing to social and territorial cohesion, bringing prosperity and well-being to all citizens throughout the territory.

The Spanish Data Protection Agency (Agencia Española de Protección de Datos – AEPD) introduced an age verification system in December 2023 to ensure that any person accessing adult content is authorised to do so. This is in line with the General Law on Audiovisual Communication (Spanish Law 13/2022), which obliges video-sharing platforms to set up age verification systems for content that could be harmful to minors.

Six civil society entities - the European Association for Digital Transition (AETD), Save The Children, ANAR Foundation, iCMedia, Dale Una Vuelta and Unicef ​​- with the institutional support of the Spanish Data Protection Agency and the Attorney General's Office, have joined forces to agree on a proposal for a State Pact to address an increasingly pressing problem: the negative impact that, in certain circumstances, the use of the Internet and social networks can have on minors.

The Global Strategy on Minors, Digital Health and Privacy (January 29, 2024) presents the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) priority lines of action to promote the effective protection of children and adolescents on the Internet. The strategy includes collaboration with national and international organizations competent in the matter. It contains 10 priority actions and 35 measures grouped into three axes: regulatory collaboration, reinforcement to guarantee the rights of children and adolescents and the exercise of investigative and sanctioning powers.

The objective of the National Plan for Digital Skills is to guarantee the training and digital inclusion of workers and citizens as a whole, in order to promote the creation of quality jobs, reduce unemployment, increase productivity and contribute to closing gender, social and territorial gaps. The National Digital Skills Plan, included in the Digital Agenda 2026, also develops part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. The Plan's planned investments will reach 3.75 billion euros for the period 2021-2023.

The aim of the Enhancing Digital Competence project is to improve the quality and efficiency of education and training and to promote the development of innovative learning environments and flexible forms of learning that will contribute to raising the digital competences of managers and professionals, children, pupils and students.

The guidelines "An Informed Consumer" provide answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding the protection of personal data of consumers in business and other online activities, mobile communications, participation in prize games, filling in questionnaires about preferences, clubs and benefit cards. The guidelines have been updated according to the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation.
(Source: The Information Commissioner/Informacijski pooblaščenec).

Entities responsible for implementation: Information Commissioner.