Else Beekman
Málaga has experienced a significant increase in fines imposed on parents due to the improper use of mobile phones by students in secondary schools. The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) has introduced penalties ranging from €5,000 to €10,000 for “illegal data processing” by minors.
Activities such as filming fights or sharing images without consent on social media have led to heavy fines for parents. In some cases, private schools have also faced penalties.
Case of serious online misconduct
One notable incident involved a student from Málaga who created a fake Instagram profile to post explicit content under a classmate’s name. This behaviour resulted in a €6,000 fine for the child’s parents. Since 2020, such violations have been increasingly common, according to local experts.
AEPD guidelines and school policies
The AEPD’s guidelines stress the serious consequences of personal data misuse. Especially, cases of unauthorised sharing of videos, photos, or private documents is seriously penalised. Since March, public schools in Málaga have strictly prohibited mobile phone use in classrooms. However, issues remain in private schools, which could also face fines if they fail to manage these situations effectively.
Expert insights on parental responsibility
Iván González, CEO of Privacidad Global, explained that while public institutions are exempt from these fines, private schools are not. He also pointed out the availability of priority content removal channels. These allow parents to report privacy violations and have harmful content taken down quickly.
Impact of mobile phone ban in schools
Since the mobile phone ban was implemented in Andalucian classrooms, conflicts have decreased. This is according to Esther Luque, coordinator of the Málaga Principals Association. Schools, such as IES Pintor José Hernández, have implemented measures like secure lockers to store phones, but challenges around mobile usage persist.
Digital literacy programs for parents
Programs promoting digital literacy are being introduced to help families manage these issues. María Vidal, from Educación Digital Responsable, noted that despite school bans, many students continue to use phones during breaks. Furthermore, the average age for acquiring smartphones has dropped to 11, raising concerns about developmental impacts.