Sexualization of children and adolescents on the internet and its psychological, social, and legal effects in Brazil

Abstract

The present study aims to analyze the psychological, social, and legal implications of the sexualization of children and adolescents on the internet in Brazil. The methodology adopted is a bibliographic literature review study, descriptive in nature and with a qualitative approach. The early exposure of children and adolescents to inappropriate content on social media is an issue that increasingly stands out with regard to child development. However, the dangers of early exposure to sexualized content online represent a growing threat to the psychological and social development of children. It is essential that parents, educators, digital platforms, and society as a whole unite in combating early sexualization on the internet. With the creation of Law No. 15,211/2025, also known as the Felca Law, significant advances have been made in the protection of children and adolescents on the internet. The Brazilian legal system, with the new Law No. 15.211/2025, is not content with merely repairing damage already caused, but acts preventively against child exploitation in its structure, requiring the implementation of public policies and active monitoring of digital platforms. It is concluded that the protection of children and adolescents cannot be limited to reactive measures; it must also be educational and preventive. The fragility of children and adolescents on social media calls for a more robust legal system, capable of meeting the demands of the digital age and protecting against the pitfalls of an internet that often becomes a stage for the exploitation of their images and their healthy development.