Law 15.211/25, known as the “Digital Child and Adolescent Statute” (ECA Digital), has been enacted in Brazil, creating strict new requirements for digital platforms, app stores, social networks, and operating systems to protect children and adolescents online.
The legislation aims to combat the “adultization” of minors and ensure online safety for this young audience nationwide.
1. Reinforced obligations for the protection of children and adolescents: Digital products and services must be designed from inception with maximum privacy settings and data protections for minors. App stores and operating systems are now required to verify users’ ages, enable parental controls, and provide age information to connected apps via API.
2. Increased responsibility and monitoring for social networks and games: Social media accounts for minors under 16 must be linked to a legal guardian, and platforms must enhance systems to detect accounts improperly operated by children. Online games for minors are banned from featuring “loot boxes,” and all interactions—such as chats and content exchanges—must include reinforced safeguards to prevent risks.
3. Sanctions, oversight, and the new role of the ANPD: Tech providers must remove and report any discovered content involving child exploitation, abduction, or grooming. Companies with more than 1 million users in this age group must publish biannual reports in Portuguese detailing complaints received and moderation actions taken.
Noncompliance can result in warnings, heavy fines—up to 10% of Brazil-based revenues or R$ 50 million per violation—and even temporary suspension of operations. Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) is now designated as the autonomous regulatory body to oversee, draft regulations, and enforce compliance, backed by increased budget, staff, and new public service career paths dedicated to digital child protection.
This law sets a new, rigorous regulatory standard that demands innovative solutions for protection, privacy, and accountability in digital services targeting children and adolescents. Combating online “adultization” of minors is now a legal obligation, and the sector must adapt quickly to ensure compliance and avoid severe penalties.
