Galician Movement Demands Limits on Children's Tech Access

Galician Movement Protests Against Technology's Impact on Children Galicia, Spain – On June 7th, 2025, the "Movemento Off" staged demonstrations across Galicia to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of technology overuse on children and adolescents. The movement is calling for stricter regulations on children's access to technology and a de-emphasis on digitalization within education. Their concerns stem from observed increases in violence, social difficulties, cyberbullying, and problems with cognitive development among young people. Menchu Outón, a teacher and spokesperson for the movement in Santiago, stated, "We believe that children under 18 shouldn't have access to social media, especially girls, because the damage is terrible." The movement's demands extend to establishing a minimum legal age for mobile phone ownership and reducing technology's role in education. Outón further emphasized the hypocrisy of Silicon Valley companies that don't give their own children unfettered access to the platforms they create. The "Movemento Off" demonstrations highlight a growing concern about the potential negative consequences of technology on youth development. The movement's call for a more balanced approach to technology use in children's lives is gaining traction, prompting a necessary conversation about responsible technology consumption and the well-being of the next generation.