Ecuador considers social media ban for minors linked to crime prevention efforts
Lawmakers in Ecuador are debating a proposal to restrict social media access for children under 15, citing concerns over online recruitment by criminal groups.
Ecuador’s National Assembly is considering a proposal to restrict access to social media for children under the age of 15, as part of efforts to address organised crime.
The initiative, introduced by Katherine Pacheco Machuca, would amend the country’s Code of Childhood and Adolescence. It proposes blocking minors from platforms that enable public interaction, messaging, and content sharing.
The definition of social media in the proposal is broad. It includes services where users can create accounts, connect with others, and exchange content.
The measure is linked to concerns about criminal recruitment. Data from Ecuador’s Organised Crime Observatory indicates that a significant share of minors approached by criminal groups were first contacted through social media platforms. Additional surveys suggest that adolescents may be exposed to recruitment strategies that combine financial incentives with portrayals of violence.
In this context, the proposal is presented as a response to security challenges rather than focusing primarily on issues such as privacy or mental health.
The debate takes place amid a wider policy shift to address digital risks, including proposed cybersecurity measures and draft laws targeting recruitment activities on online platforms.
