Querétaro Bans Social Media for Kids Under 14

Querétaro, Mexico — The Querétaro State Congress has unanimously approved the "Kuri Law," a sweeping measure regulating minors' access to social media platforms. The legislation, named after Governor Mauricio Kuri González, will prohibit children under 14 from using social media entirely, while adolescents aged 14 to 18 must obtain parental consent to register on digital platforms.

Key Provisions of the Law

The law amends the State Penal Code and the Law on the Rights of Girls, Boys, and Adolescents, introducing stricter penalties for online harassment and sexual exploitation of minors. Individuals convicted of "grooming"—contacting minors through digital platforms with sexual intent—face prison sentences of three to six years and fines of up to 226,280 pesos.

Additional measures include:

• A ban on mobile devices inside educational institutions.
• Mandatory content filters to ensure age-appropriate digital material for users under 18.
• Public policies aimed at combating misinformation and hate speech.

Rising Digital Violence Against Minors

State Deputy Enrique Correa cited data from the Querétaro Attorney General's Office, revealing a 37% increase in digital violence against minors in 2022. He further noted that 70% of bullying and school harassment cases in the state originate on social media. Correa also referenced World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommending that children aged 5 to 17 limit screen time to no more than two hours per day.

Mixed Reactions from Legislators

While the law passed unanimously, Deputy Claudia Díaz Gayou criticized it as "symbolic," arguing that it fails to penalize digital platforms for non-compliance. Governor Kuri, however, hailed the legislation as a "central step to protect our children and adolescents." The law's full text will be published in the State Official Gazette in the coming days.

Next Steps

Governor Kuri announced plans to collaborate with municipal leaders to create public spaces promoting culture, arts, sports, mental health, and social interaction for minors. The law is expected to take effect by the following week.

The approval follows a tweet from the Querétaro Legislature confirming the unanimous vote, emphasizing the law's focus on safeguarding minors' best interests in digital spaces.