Costa Rican Lawmakers Advance Strict Ban on Social Media for Children Under 14

Costa Rican lawmakers approve a bill banning children under 14 from social media while imposing strict design and parental consent rules for teenagers nationwide.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 15, 2026, 10:16 AM EDT

Source: The Tico Times

Legislative Momentum for Digital Child Protection

The Youth, Children, and Adolescents Committee signaled a clear legislative intent by moving Bill 25,336 forward without opposition. At its core, the proposal creates a hard boundary for digital interaction, barring anyone under 14 from creating accounts on platforms that feature social networking capabilities. Instead, younger children would be restricted to "certified" versions of apps designed specifically for their age group. These platforms would be required by law to have addictive features disabled by default and to maintain active parental control dashboards, ensuring that the digital experience for the youngest users is curated and safe.

Targeted Regulations for the Teenage Demographic

For adolescents aged 14 to 18, the bill introduces a framework of "verifiable consent" rather than a total ban. To open an account, teenagers would need to provide their official Costa Rican minor ID card (TIM) and obtain express, documented permission from a parent or legal guardian. Furthermore, the legislation prohibits minors from managing non-personal accounts, such as public pages or community groups. To verify ages, tech companies would be forced to utilize more sophisticated methods, ranging from third party verification services to digital credentials or advanced age estimation technologies.

Mandatory Redesign of Platform Architecture

A transformative aspect of the bill is its direct interference with the "attention economy" of Silicon Valley. If passed, tech companies must dismantle specific design elements for all users under 18 that are deemed compulsive. This includes the elimination of infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, and "pull-to-refresh" mechanisms. These "dark-pattern" designs are frequently criticized for keeping users engaged longer than intended. Additionally, the bill mandates that recommendation algorithms for minors must move away from engagement-only metrics and include tools that force periodic breaks and time limits.