Without regulation, disinformation spreads as Brazilian Congress resists social media legislation
- Rafaela Campos da Silva
- Jul 31
- 1 min read
Jornal O Globo - May, 24 2025
Brazilians rank third among the world's top social media users — 3 hours and 37 minutes per day, compared to the global average of 2 hours and 23 minutes. In European countries like France, Italy, and Switzerland, daily social media usage doesn't reach two hours; in Japan, it is under 60 minutes. This data alone may not suggest conclusions, but when it's known that such virtual environments influence people's behavior—as research on the subject shows—the picture changes. For example, in cases of incitement to violence, racism, misogyny, and the spread of fake news.
Social media was the channel through which the January 8 coup attempt and school attacks were coordinated, as well as the recent death of an 8-year-old girl who inhaled deodorant.
“It’s the only sector in the country that doesn’t have to comply with any Brazilian law. It’s a lawless land that attracts all kinds of fraud and crime, including drug sales. Nothing is done because no one has the legal authority to act,” says Marie Santini, director of Netlab at UFRJ.
The issue becomes even more significant considering Brazilians’ strong attachment to social networks. A report released this year by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) showed that children under 15 in Brazil spend more time on digital platforms than those in other countries.
