US EditionBrazil rolls out law boosting online protection of minors
The Digital Statute bans addictive features and requires parental control on accounts for minors under 16, with fines up to $9.5 million for non-compliance, experts say.
- On March 17, the Digital Statute of Children and Adolescents came into force in Brazil after congressional approval and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's sanction, with experts calling it a milestone in protecting minors from harmful online content.
- Momentum rose after an August video accused platforms of sexualizing minors, as influencer Felipe Bressanim's 50-minute exposé accelerated the 2025 bill after a related Instagram scandal.
- ANPD officials explained the technical checks required, including identity document upload, biometric verification, and linking under-16 adolescents to a guardian, as 'the law bans self-declaration'.
- Regulators warned companies face steep penalties, including fines up to 50 million reais, account suspensions, and potential bans; WhatsApp, Google, and YouTube announced parental controls and AI safeguards last week.
- With 212 million people, Brazil joins global moves to curb addictive features like infinite scroll, autoplay and loot boxes while emphasizing parental supervision, child-rights advocates warn of harms like anxiety and exploitation.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Brazil Tightens Social Media Rules for Children Under 16 to Combat Addictive and Harmful Online Content
The issue gained traction in August, after influencer Felipe Bressanim, known as Felca, published a video denouncing the sexualization of children and adolescents online. The 50-minute video, which has 52 million views on YouTube, accelerated the approval of a bill that had been in the works since 2022. Brazil Tightens Social Media Rules for Children Under 16 to Combat Addictive and Harmful Online Content.
Associated Press News
Brazil rolls out law boosting online protection of minors
Brazil now enforces a sweeping new law that aims to make the internet safer for children and teens. On Tuesday, the digital statute takes effect after Congress backs it and President Lula signs it in September.
Brazil says enough — new law forces platforms to protect kids or face US$9m fines
BRASÍLIA, March 18 — Brazil began implementing new measures on Tuesday to restrict minors’ access to social media and prevent them from viewing violent or illegal content.A law regulating children’s use of social media was approved last year after a scandal involving the alleged sexual exploitation of minors on Instagram, and comes into effect this week.The hyper-connected nation of 212 million people joins several other countries seeking to pro…
Channel News Asia
Brazil starts to restrict minors' access to social media
Brazil began implementing new measures on Tuesday (Mar 17) to restrict minors' access to social media and prevent them from viewing violent or illegal content.A law regulating children's use of social media was approved last year after a scandal involving the alleged sexual exploitation of minors on Instagram
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