Ecuador's National Assembly is considering a law to prohibit children under 15 from using social media to protect their integrity and reduce risks associated with premature exposure to inappropriate content and cyberbullying.
The National Assembly of Ecuador is currently discussing a bill that aims to amend Article 52 of the Code of Childhood and Adolescence, which would prohibit access to and use of social media by children and adolescents under 15 years old. This measure is introduced with the intention of safeguarding the integrity and well-being of younger individuals, particularly by addressing the dangers of premature encounters with inappropriate content and instances of cyberbullying. The initiative is led by legislator Katherine Pacheco from the officialist party Acción Democrática Nacional, and it is framed as an effort to strengthen the rights of children and adolescents, particularly in terms of dignity, reputation, honor, and image.
The proposed reforms consist of a single article, which includes two general provisions, two transitional provisions, and one final provision. The Commission on Childhood and Adolescence within the National Assembly is tasked with processing the proposal, and initial socialization meetings are set to begin on February 24. These discussions are expected to lay the groundwork for a broader conversation about the digital rights of minors and the responsibilities of social media platforms in safeguarding young users.
If enacted, this law would potentially have significant implications for the way young people interact with online platforms and how parents manage their children's access to social media. It raises critical questions about the balance between protecting minors and preserving freedom of expression in the digital age.
