SPAIN: GOVERNMENT TAKES TIKTOK BEFORE PROSECUTORS OVER FAILURES TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
GENEVA – BUENOS AIRES – MADRID, November 9, 2026 — World Organization Bullying Without Borders
BSF International Observatory for Security and Prevention
The Spanish Government has requested the intervention of the State Prosecutor General's Office following serious allegations concerning the circulation of child sexual abuse material on TikTok. In addition, the Ministry of Youth and Children, headed by Sira Rego, has raised the possibility of suspending the platform's services in Spain if the competent authorities consider such a measure necessary to protect children and adolescents.
The decision follows an investigation by the Spanish journalism organization Maldita.es, which identified more than 1,000 videos containing child sexual abuse material on TikTok, with approximately 48 million views. The investigation also documented thousands of suspicious profiles allegedly involved in the exchange and distribution of such material.
The case has once again brought a fundamental question to the center of international debate: Who protects children when digital platforms fail to prevent the circulation of content that violates their rights?
An investigation that raised the alarm
One of the most concerning aspects of the investigation by Maldita.es was TikTok's response to specific reports submitted by its journalists.
The organization selected 50 videos it considered illegal and formally reported them to the platform. According to the published findings, TikTok removed only five of them, while another 13 were blocked exclusively for viewing from Spain.
The investigation also found that, 72 hours after the initial reports, 12 of the 50 videos remained accessible and 18 of the 47 accounts involved were still active.
These findings raise serious questions about the effectiveness of the social network's content moderation, detection and response systems when dealing with material involving minors.
Spanish Government turns to prosecutors
The Ministry of Youth and Children submitted a formal request to the State Prosecutor General's Office, urging it to take the necessary measures within its legal powers to ensure comprehensive protection for children and adolescents who may have been affected.
Minister Sira Rego also requested an urgent meeting with TikTok representatives in Spain to obtain the company's explanations, learn about the measures already implemented and discuss the immediate actions planned.
The Ministry believes that the documented events could constitute a violation of children's rights and require a coordinated response from Spanish and European authorities.
The possibility of suspending TikTok's services in Spain has been raised as an option for consideration by the competent authorities. At present, however, no shutdown decision has been adopted.
The problem of algorithms and digital responsibility
The investigation has also brought TikTok's content recommendation systems under scrutiny.
The algorithms that select and distribute publications have enormous influence over what millions of users encounter on their screens every day. For this reason, their operation and safety mechanisms must be examined whenever there are indications that they may contribute to the circulation of illegal content.
In the European Union, the Digital Services Act (DSA) establishes specific obligations for major digital platforms, including the assessment and mitigation of systemic risks and action against illegal content.
The protection of minors cannot depend exclusively on reports submitted by users, journalists or civil society organizations. Technology companies must have effective prevention, detection and response mechanisms in place.
Bullying Without Borders addresses the global challenge of protecting children
At the World Organization Bullying Without Borders, we believe that protecting children and adolescents online must be a global priority.
Bullying, cyberbullying, the grooming of minors for exploitation and the circulation of child sexual abuse material are distinct phenomena. However, all require serious and coordinated action whenever children's safety and rights are at stake.
Social media platforms must never become spaces where the speed at which content spreads exceeds society's ability to protect those who need protection the most.
With the collaboration of Maldita.es
WORLD ORGANIZATION BULLYING WITHOUT BORDERS
