More countries are tightening social media rules for children.

Many experts believe the bigger challenge is creating healthier and safer digital spaces for young people.

The challenge lies in protecting children online while ensuring that solutions remain fair, coordinated and realistic for the long term.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said platforms will be required to implement strict age verification systems, describing the current online ecosystem as a digital space where regulation has failed to keep children safe.

In the United States, YouTube remains the most widely used platform among teens, followed closely by TikTok and Instagram, while older platforms like Facebook and Snapchat have seen declining engagement. Photo: Canva