A prominent Spanish advocate for women’s rights has spoken out against the government’s current approach to regulating social media platforms, arguing that the measures proposed fall short of what is needed to effectively combat digital abuse. The activist, who has personally endured severe online harassment including AI-generated fake nude images, insists that anonymous accounts must be traceable to hold perpetrators accountable and end the widespread impunity that enables digital violence to persist unchecked.
Across Europe, there is a growing momentum to tighten controls on major U.S.-based technology companies, shifting from traditional penalties such as fines and content removal demands towards more stringent regulatory frameworks. Spain is at the forefront of this movement, proposing a comprehensive ban on social media access for individuals under the age of 16, alongside introducing criminal liability for platform executives who neglect to remove illegal or hateful content. This approach reflects a broader continental trend, with countries like France, Greece, and Poland considering similar legislation. Notably, Australia became the first nation to enforce a social media ban for children under 16 in December, setting a precedent that others are now following.
Carla Galeote, a 25-year-old lawyer and influential feminist voice online, has highlighted that governments are only now beginning to seriously address digital violence because it has escalated to an unavoidable crisis, especially with the advent of AI technologies. However, she stresses that the problem itself is not new. “Social media platforms have long been arenas for brutal, systematic harassment that never stops,” Galeote explained. She recounted her own harrowing experience, emphasizing that the most painful moment was not the creation of the deepfake images but the dismissive response from law enforcement, who told her that such abuse did not even qualify as a crime.
While the Spanish government’s plan to restrict social media use among minors has attracted significant attention, Galeote criticizes it as a paternalistic measure that fails to address the root issues. She argues that protection from digital abuse should be universal, extending to all users regardless of age. This perspective challenges the notion that limiting access for younger users alone will solve the problem, pointing instead to the need for systemic reforms that safeguard everyone in the digital space.
The proposed legislation has sparked a backlash from technology company leaders, who accuse Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of threatening freedom of expression through these regulatory efforts. Galeote, however, maintains that it is entirely possible to balance regulation with the preservation of free speech. She draws a stark comparison between online and offline behavior, noting, “It is unthinkable that someone could stand on a street corner and threaten sexual violence without consequence, yet this is tolerated on social media platforms.” To address this, she advocates for harsher penalties beyond monetary fines, suggesting that platforms repeatedly violating regulations should face bans from major markets such as the European Union.
Although Galeote supports the use of pseudonyms online to protect privacy, she insists that every account must be linked to a verifiable identity behind the scenes. “You can call yourself ‘PeppaPig88’ if you want, but there must be a real person accountable for that account,” she asserted. This approach aims to strike a balance between anonymity and responsibility, ensuring that users can express themselves without fear, but also cannot evade consequences for harmful actions.
As digital abuse continues to evolve with advancing technology, voices like Galeote’s underscore the urgent need for comprehensive and enforceable online regulations. The debate in Spain and across Europe highlights the complex challenge of protecting individuals from harm while preserving fundamental freedoms in an increasingly interconnected world.
