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New digital law establishes age limits for platforms and artificial intelligence.
Brazil will raise the recommended minimum age for using social media and artificial intelligence tools in 2026, according to the Digital Child and Adolescent Statute (ECA Digital), which will be sent this week to civil society organizations and affected companies. This measure represents a significant change in the regulation of digital access for minors in the country.
New age ranges
The legislation establishes three main categories:
Messaging apps They will be recommended for ages 12 and up, while social media They will be restricted to users aged 16 or older. For artificial intelligence chatbots, The minimum age was set at 14 years, following a revision that reduced the initial restriction.
Who is responsible?
The Digital ECA transfers the responsibility for age verification to app stores and operating systems, attracting the attention of giants like Apple, Google, and Microsoft. However, the obligation extends to any provider of digital services or products, including Meta, TikTok, e-commerce platforms, adult content websites, and betting sites.
All these companies will have to prevent children and teenagers from accessing inappropriate content, creating a new compliance landscape for the Brazilian technology sector.
Broader context
The week also marked advances on other technological fronts. Brazil reinforced its presence at Agritechnica 2025, Europe's largest agricultural technology fair, with nine companies presenting innovative solutions. A highlight was the SaveFarm® technology, which uses artificial intelligence to accurately identify weeds, reducing herbicide use by up to 95% and already operating on more than 200 farms in Latin America.
Simultaneously, institutions such as IFMG and Senai-PE are intensifying training in technology, with events focused on Industry 4.0, automation, and AI, signaling continuous investment in professional development.
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