Lorraine Williamson
A growing number of Spanish youth are expressing far-right views in classrooms, sparking concern among teachers across the country. According to teachers, many male students openly defend Spain’s former dictator Francisco Franco, question the need for feminism, and repeat political rhetoric often associated with the far-right party Vox.
The trend, most visible among boys aged 15 to 18, appears to be fuelled by social media content, where misinformation is presented through memes, humour, and short-form videos. Educators say these platforms do more to shape young people’s political opinions than schools.
Social media shapes teenage political discourse
The Spanish daily El País recently reported that teachers in various regions have witnessed a rise in anti-feminist, xenophobic, and nationalist statements among students. While some of the remarks are made to provoke, others reflect a genuine shift in political outlook.
“They tell me Franco wasn’t a dictator. That feminism is no longer needed. That men are the ones being discriminated against,” says Alicia López, a secondary school philosophy teacher in Castile-La Mancha. “They didn’t arrive at these conclusions independently. They’ve picked them up online.”
Research by Spanish polling firm 40dB suggests this is not anecdotal. Over half of Spanish boys aged 16 to 24—52%—believe the push for gender equality has gone too far and now discriminates against men. Among young women, the figure is just 27%. Meanwhile, 36% of young men say they intend to vote for far-right parties.
Lack of political education leaves teens vulnerable
Teachers across Spain say there is a noticeable gap in students’ understanding of history and politics. Terms like “Franco,” “feminazi,” or “communist” are often used without comprehension of their meaning or context.
“They say these words without understanding them,” said one secondary school teacher in Murcia. “If we try to explain, we’re accused of pushing an agenda.”
The current Spanish curriculum includes little in the way of civic or political education. This creates a vacuum that is easily filled by algorithm-driven content online. As a result, many teenagers are forming political views based on jokes, viral content and influencers rather than classroom learning or debate.
Teachers warn of long-term risks to democracy
Educators argue that what begins as trolling or mimicry can slowly normalise extreme positions. “They use the language of the far-right without even knowing it,” said one teacher. “But the repetition of these messages, even as jokes, gives them power.”
There is now a growing call for reforms to Spain’s education system to strengthen civic understanding, political literacy, and digital media awareness. Teachers say schools need to be given the tools and time to confront misinformation directly.
“If we don’t offer them context and critical thinking skills,” warns a teacher, “they’ll get their worldview from TikTok.”
Also read: Investigation into VOX for opaque financial practices