Mexico May Ban Social Media for Under-16s

Mexico City — Mexico's Ministry of Public Education (SEP) has expressed support for the concept of banning social media access for minors under the age of 16. The statement aligns with a growing international trend where several countries are developing legislation aimed at protecting children and adolescents from content on internet platforms.

Official Stance and International Context

Education Secretary Mario Delgado confirmed his support for the possibility of restricting minors' access to social media, following a model recently implemented by Australia, in an interview with AFP. He clarified that this was a personal stance and that the ministry would await proposals from civil society to formally address the issue.

The remarks contribute to an ongoing international debate regarding the appropriate role of governments in regulating social media platforms, which are typically operated by large multinational corporations.

Delgado noted on social media that President Claudia Sheinbaum has called for a societal debate on the issue, expressing hope that it would generate citizen demand to work on regulatory measures.

Global Legislative Movements

One reaction to Delgado's statement came from French President Emmanuel Macron, who commented, "How great! Thank you for joining the movement," in reference to a news report on the matter.

The French National Assembly has approved a bill prohibiting access to social media for children under 15, with the stated goals of combating cyberbullying and protecting teenage mental health. The initiative received 130 votes in favor and 21 against and is backed by President Macron. It includes a provision requiring platforms to verify the age of their users. Following this legislative step, the bill will proceed to the Senate for final approval, with the law projected to take effect on September 1, 2026.

In the final weeks of 2025, Australia began enforcing a new law that prohibits social media access for individuals under 16, a measure that has locked thousands of teenagers out of their profiles. The law, approved after months of deliberations and consultations with experts and organizations, requires platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, X, Reddit, Discord, and the streaming service Kick to demonstrate they have taken "reasonable steps" to identify and disable accounts of users below the permitted age.

In February 2026, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced his intention to pursue a ban on social media for those under 16. In response, Elon Musk, owner of the platform X, called him a "totalitarian fascist" in a tweet.