The federal government has decided to raise YouTube's age rating from 14 to 16 years after the release of a technical note indicating the presence of content considered harmful to minors. The change is part of the guidelines of the so-called... ECA Digital, legislation that updates the Statute of Children and Adolescents for the online environment.
In practice, the new rating serves as a warning that the platform is not recommended for users under 16 years of age, given the nature of some of the available content.
Reclassification affects other platforms.
The decision is not limited to YouTube. At the end of April, other popular apps also had their age ratings raised. Among them are TikTok, Kwai, and WhatsApp, which are now recommended only for users aged 16 and over.
The goal, according to the government, is to standardize protection criteria for children and adolescents in the face of increasing exposure to potentially harmful content on digital platforms.
Animations and violence prompted a review.
One of the main points highlighted in the technical note is the circulation of seemingly harmless animations that address sensitive topics. Among the examples cited is the so-called "Fruit Soap Opera," content created using artificial intelligence that went viral in recent months.
"It is worth mentioning a new wave of animations that have been widely disseminated on the platform, known to the Brazilian public as 'fruit soap operas'. The characters are fruits and vegetables with human characteristics, generally with an attractive appearance for the children's and youth audience, with traits similar to those of popular animations," the note says.
"However, the stories present complex themes, such as sexual appeal, domestic violence, prejudice, murder, rape, drug trafficking, and drug use," the document adds.
In addition to these productions, the government also pointed to the recurring presence of violent content on the platform, including scenes with injuries, bleeding, mutilations, and executions, often reinforced by visual effects that intensify the impact, such as slow motion and close-up shots.
What changes with the Digital ECA?
The Digital ECA establishes a series of rules to expand the protection of children and adolescents in the virtual environment. Among the main measures are the prohibition of self-declaration of age in restricted services, the requirement for age verification on platforms, and the mandatory use of versions adapted for minors.
The legislation also mandates that social media platforms link the accounts of users under 16 years of age to those of their guardians, in addition to requiring parental control mechanisms and stricter content moderation.
Another important point is the accountability of the platforms. Companies that violate the rules may face sanctions that include fines of up to R$ 50 million, as well as the possibility of temporary or permanent suspension of activities.
The regulation also expanded the role of the National Data Protection Authority, which will now act as a regulatory agency with responsibilities related to overseeing the measures outlined in the statute.
Deadline for appeal
YouTube, which is owned by Google, can still appeal the decision. The deadline is ten days after the measure is published in the Official Gazette of the Union. So far, the company has not officially commented on the reclassification.
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