Before Social Media, You Were Normal

Spain has moved to the forefront of a growing international push to shield children from the harmful effects of social media.

Speaking at the World Governments Summit 2026 on February 3, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described social media as a “failed state” and announced plans to bar individuals under 16 from accessing such platforms. The proposal would require companies to implement effective age-verification systems to enforce the restriction.

Spain joins countries including Australia, France, Portugal, Denmark and the United Kingdom in re-examining the role of digital platforms. Greece is also expected to follow. These governments are increasingly treating social media companies not as neutral intermediaries, but as co-responsible actors in safeguarding user well-being.

The debate comes amid mounting concerns over online hate speech, misinformation and cyberbullying—issues critics argue are intensified by artificial intelligence. While freedom of expression remains a cornerstone of democratic societies, calls for stronger digital governance, particularly for minors, have grown louder.

For those who came of age before the digital revolution, the contrast is stark. Individuals born between 1965 and 1980—often referred to as Generation X—experienced adolescence without smartphones, algorithm-driven feeds or influencer culture. Social interaction was largely face-to-face. News came from scheduled television broadcasts or print publications. Friendships were fewer but often deeper, forged through shared physical spaces rather than online platforms.

Daily life unfolded without the constant comparison now fueled by curated social media timelines. There were no “likes,” no follower counts and no pressure to present an idealized version of reality. Community engagement, outdoor activities and direct conversation shaped social development.

Today, the digital landscape has altered those dynamics. Instant global communication has turned nearly everyone into a content creator. Feeds often highlight achievements, luxury and carefully edited moments, reinforcing perceptions of success and happiness that may not reflect reality. For many users—especially young people—constant exposure to such content can foster feelings of inadequacy and anxiety.

Governments have long regulated industries ranging from food and medicine to alcohol and gambling. Critics argue that digital platforms, which influence behavior and mental health at scale, have largely escaped comparable oversight. That regulatory gap, they contend, is now narrowing.

Opponents of age-based restrictions caution that social media serves as a gateway to news, civic engagement and public discourse for many teenagers. However, supporters counter that the core issue lies not with young users themselves, but with platform design, limited safeguards and insufficient accountability.

The broader question remains whether adolescents, still developing critical thinking skills, are equipped to navigate an environment where even adults struggle to separate fact from manipulation. As countries like Spain move toward tighter controls, the global conversation over responsibility, regulation and the long-term societal impact of social media continues to intensify.

By: Nick Kossovan