Brazil Raises Instagram Age Limit to 16 Citing Risks

Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security has raised the minimum recommended age for Instagram from 14 to 16 years. This change, published in the country’s official government journal on June 11, 2025, follows a routine review of the platform’s content.

The government found that Instagram exposes users to scenes of sex, nudity, violence, and drug use. The ministry based its decision on the frequency and intensity of these themes, which it classified using existing audiovisual content guidelines.

Officials identified content categories that included intentional death, mutilation, cruelty, nudity, eroticization, intense sexual relations, complex sexual situations, explicit sex, and illicit drug use.

The government stated that the presence of these themes, especially those rated for older audiences, justified the new age recommendation. The guidelines used for this decision focus on three main areas: sex and nudity, violence, and drugs.

Officials determined the age limit by measuring how often and how strongly these themes appear on the platform. Instagram responded by highlighting its safety tools for teenagers.

The company said it restricts sensitive content for younger users and has introduced a “Teen Account” with extra safety features. However, the ministry clarified that its classification does not consider these platform-specific protections.

Instead, it focuses on the type of content available to users in Brazil. This change matters for several reasons. First, it aims to protect young users from exposure to content that could harm their mental health or development.

Second, Brazil’s decision sets a precedent for other countries, as it is one of the largest social media markets in the world. Third, the new age rating gives parents clearer guidance on whether Instagram is suitable for their children.

Finally, the move puts pressure on tech companies to do more to protect young users, beyond relying on their own safety features. The new policy draws on Portaria 502, the Ministry’s audiovisual content guideline, which sets the criteria for age recommendations.

Brazil Joins Global Wave of Social Media Age Limits to Shield Youth

The decision signals that the government will take a more active role in regulating digital platforms to protect vulnerable users. This approach reflects a broader trend as countries examine the impact of social media on younger populations.

Instagram remains a central platform for communication and self-expression among young people. However, the risks associated with certain types of content have prompted Brazilian authorities to act.

The new age limit appears next to Instagram’s listing in app stores, making the recommendation clear for users and parents. Other countries are moving in a similar direction. Australia will ban under-16s from social media by December 2025, with strict penalties for noncompliance.

In Europe, France requires parental consent for users under 15, and Spain is advancing legislation to raise the age to 16. Several EU nations are working on a joint minimum age for social media access.

These steps show a global trend: governments are moving beyond voluntary tech company measures and taking direct action to safeguard children and teenagers online.