The Spanish government is launching an investigation into the social media platforms X, Meta, and TikTok due to concerns over the distribution of child sexual abuse material created by artificial intelligence. This decision was communicated by Spanish President Pedro Sánchez through his X account, emphasizing the need to protect the mental health, dignity, and rights of children. Sánchez stated that the state must not allow such violations to continue, indicating a push for accountability among these tech giants.

This investigation follows a series of measures announced by Sánchez aimed at curbing online abuse and safeguarding children. Among these is a proposal to prohibit access to social media platforms for individuals under the age of 16. This initiative is inspired by Australia’s recent legislation which, as of December 2025, became the first country to ban access to social media for minors under 16, prompting discussions in other nations about similar actions.

The Spanish government's stance reflects growing concerns globally regarding the impact of social media on children and the rise of AI technologies that can be exploited for harmful purposes. With other governments examining their policies, Spain's actions could set a precedent in the international effort to regulate social media platforms and protect vulnerable populations from exploitation.