Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has signed a decree obliging online platforms, among them TikTok, Meta and X, to shield children from violent, sexual and other harmful material. Under the order, companies must limit minors’ exposure to content involving violence, harassment or sexual abuse through the way their services are designed, and must promptly delete risky material from the profiles of underage users.
Sheinbaum said on Wednesday that her government would back legislation penalising companies that fail to carry out the decree. “If no progress is made, it would become a law,” she told a news conference on Tuesday. When she first announced the measure, she urged platforms to take on part of the responsibility and to stop spreading content linked to crime or violent behaviour.
Decree follows deadly school attack in Coahuila
The measure comes after two 18-year-olds attacked their former high school in the northern state of Coahuila in early October. One person was killed and three others were wounded.
Government adviser Luisa Maria Alcalde said digital platforms will have one month to comply. Officials said they had already held talks with representatives of social media and streaming firms, including Meta, Microsoft, Apple, TikTok, Google, X and Huawei.
Global moves on child safety online
Last August, Meta agreed to pay an $18bn settlement in a major US federal case accusing it of endangering children, and it was required to add new safety features to Instagram and Facebook. According to the lawsuit, the company had broken a US children’s privacy law by gathering, storing and using information on under-13s without suitable parental permission.
Mexico’s step is part of a wider international effort. European governments and Australia have stepped up scrutiny of online services, while several US states are working on various measures aimed at children’s safety. Brazil has also moved to strengthen online protections for young users. Such steps have prompted debate over balancing youth protection against privacy and freedom of expression.
