Law no. 15,211 of 2025, restrictions on social media use by adolescents, and the implications for citizenship and digital literacy

Abstract

In 2025, Law No. 15,211/2025 (Digital ECA) was enacted in Brazil, aiming to protect children and adolescents in the digital environment. This article analyzes the impacts of this law regarding restrictions on social media use by minors under 16 years of age, in contrast to the perceptions of adolescents in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul regarding the challenges faced on the internet and digital education. The research adopted a qualitative approach, combining documentary analysis and Discursive Textual Analysis (DTA) to examine the Digital ECA and questionnaires administered to students. The results show that young people recognize vulnerabilities such as cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content, but also value social media as spaces for socialization and identity. It is concluded that the Digital ECA represents a step forward in the protection of digital rights; however, its effectiveness depends on the integration of the law with media and digital education, ensuring safe and informed participation in the connected world.