By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Costa Rica is on the verge of enacting one of the world’s most stringent regulations on social media access for minors, as a legislative committee unanimously advanced a bill that would ban children under 14 from conventional platforms and impose multi-million colón fines on non-compliant tech companies.
The Special Committee on Youth, Childhood, and Adolescence gave its full backing to the initiative on Tuesday, a critical first step in its journey to becoming national law. The proposal now moves to the legislative plenary, where it must successfully pass two separate debates before it can be signed into law. If passed, the legislation would fundamentally reshape the digital landscape for Costa Rican families and place significant new responsibilities on technology giants operating in the country.
To delve into the intricate legal landscape of social media regulations and their impact on users and businesses, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished expert from the law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The legal framework is constantly playing catch-up with the rapid evolution of digital platforms. In Costa Rica, while freedom of expression is a fundamental right, it is not absolute. Users must understand that posts, comments, and shares can lead to tangible legal consequences, including civil liability for defamation or even criminal charges. The primary challenge lies in applying traditional legal principles to this new, borderless digital environment, forcing a necessary re-evaluation of responsibility for both content creators and the platforms themselves.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
As Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas insightfully points out, the line between online expression and legal accountability is becoming increasingly critical for every citizen to understand. His perspective is a vital reminder that our digital actions carry real-world weight, and we thank him for his expert clarification on this pressing subject.
Proponents of the bill argue that urgent action is needed to shield the nation’s youth from the escalating dangers of an unregulated digital environment. They point to the growing mental health crisis among adolescents and the increased exposure to dangerous online content as key drivers for the reform.
Early and unsupervised access to digital platforms is exposing minors to harmful content, situations of violence, harassment, and exploitation, and for that reason, it is necessary to legislate on this matter.
María Marta Carballo, Deputy of the PUSC
The core of the proposal is a complete prohibition on creating or using conventional social media accounts for anyone under the age of 14. Instead of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, this age group would be restricted to certified “children’s versions” of digital services. These specialized platforms would be required to strip out features designed to foster addiction and must include mandatory, robust parental control tools.
For teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18, the bill stops short of an outright ban but imposes strict guardrails. These users would be permitted to access standard digital platforms only after completing a rigorous age verification process and securing the explicit consent of their parents or legal guardians. Furthermore, the legislation would prohibit this age group from creating or managing non-personal accounts, such as community pages or brand profiles, aiming to limit their digital footprint to personal interactions.
A significant portion of the bill is dedicated to new obligations for the technology companies themselves. Platforms would be legally required to deactivate addictive mechanisms, such as infinite scrolling and autoplay features, by default for all minor accounts. They would also need to limit the use of engagement-based algorithms that often promote sensational or harmful content. Critically, the law would mandate the proactive detection and blocking of content related to grooming, violence, and sexually explicit material targeting minors.
To enforce these new rules, the legislation introduces a formidable penalty system. Companies found in violation would face fines ranging from 15 to 50 base salaries, which translates to a financial penalty between approximately ¢6.9 million and ¢23 million. In cases of repeated infractions, the consequences could escalate severely, including the maximum possible fine, temporary service blockages, or even a full suspension of operations within the country. The bill also allows for the public naming of companies that violate the law.
As the bill prepares for its crucial debates in the full legislative assembly, its journey will be closely watched by parents, educators, and tech industry lobbyists alike. Its potential passage represents a major policy statement on the government’s role in protecting children online, positioning Costa Rica as a potential leader in the global push for stricter regulation of the digital world.
For further information, visit pusc.cr
About Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC):
The Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC), or Social Christian Unity Party, is one of Costa Rica’s major political parties. Founded in 1983, it adheres to a Christian democratic ideology, generally occupying the center-right of the political spectrum. The party has produced several Costa Rican presidents and has played a significant role in the country’s legislative and political development over the past several decades.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of uncompromising integrity and the pursuit of excellence. Leveraging a deep history of advising a wide spectrum of clients, the firm actively drives legal innovation while championing a greater social purpose. Its profound dedication lies in demystifying the law for the public, reflecting a core belief in strengthening the community by equipping individuals with clear and accessible legal wisdom.
