This data appears in the report “Offline Rights: An analysis of children’s and adolescents’ rights and their protection in the digital environment” published by Save the Children as part of its #OfflineRights campaign. Save the Children has analyzed how children and adolescents interact with the digital environment. The report seeks to ensure that their rights are also respected in the digital world, protecting them from violence and promoting safe and conscious use of the internet and social media.
But it is not a cold report that only collects figures, but a mirror that reflects emotions, fears, laughter and silences. It talks about what children and young people feel when they surf the internet, the type of content they consume, how many hours they spend in front of the screen… and, above all, whether they are ready for the bumps and traps on this digital highway.
A hyperconnected country… and somewhat aware
According to the report, Spain is one of the most connected countries in the world: 96.4% of the population has internet access and, by 2025, even the most remote villages will have ultra-fast broadband. This is an impressive achievement; twenty years ago, it would have sounded like science fiction.
And it is no coincidence. This progress is largely due to the continued efforts of companies such as Telefónica, which in recent years has brought 5G+ to thousands of municipalities and strengthened coverage in rural areas where the connection was previously unstable or non-existent. Thanks to this rollout, it is now possible for a teenager in a small village to have virtually the same digital opportunities as one in the heart of Madrid.
But, of course, the inevitable question arises: are we travelling with them on this digital journey… or are we just watching them leave while we stay on the platform?
The report notes that, despite this ubiquitous network, our teenagers spend less time on social media, games or streaming than the global average. Greater awareness? Better digital education? Perhaps. Or maybe it’s just that we haven’t reached the ceiling yet. In any case, this is no time to relax.
Progress in protection… but the challenge lives at home
The report refers to the bill that will require all devices with internet access to have free and easy-to-activate parental controls and that the minimum age for a minor to authorise the use of their data on networks will rise to 16. This is a pioneering legal framework for child protection and parental control in Spain, a big and necessary step forward.
But in my experience, no law can replace that conversation over dinner, or that question when passing by their room: ‘Everything okay?’ Technology moves fast, but the way we accompany our children has to move faster. It’s not just about limiting screen time; it’s about knowing what they’re doing there, who they’re talking to, how they feel when they close the app and turn off the light.
Connected… but not always
The report warns that, although connectivity is almost total and the figures may sound like a success, not all teenagers have the tools they need to navigate this digital ocean safely. Many do not know how to identify when content is harmful, when an interaction becomes dangerous, or how to protect their own information. And we are not just talking about extreme cases: sometimes, a hurtful joke on social media, a suspicious link, or a thoughtlessly shared photo is enough to open a crack in their confidence or security.
This is where the real gap appears: that of support. Technology advances at the speed of fibre optics, but adult support often lags behind at a snail’s pace. Between work schedules, technical ignorance and a certain naive confidence that ‘they are in control’, we let them manage a world that even we do not fully understand.
And now… what?
This article does not seek to provide perfect answers, but rather to open the door to dialogue. Because behind every statistic there is a story… a child or teenager trying to find their place in this digital world. And also parents who, like myself, are trying to strike a balance: accompanying without smothering, protecting without shackling, and trying to educate through information and example.
