Mexico moves to mandate social media platforms to remove violent content following a school attack.

Mexico to Mandate Social Media Platforms Remove Violent Content

The Mexican government plans to introduce a project in the coming days that will require social media platforms to remove content that incites violence. This announcement came from President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday.

Recent Violent Incident Sparks Action

This initiative follows a deadly attack that occurred on Thursday at a school in the northern state of Coahuila. The attack resulted in the death of the school’s deputy director and left four others injured. Authorities arrested two eighteen-year-old suspects believed to have carried out the attack.

Holding Platforms Accountable

Sheinbaum stated that the goal is to hold digital platforms accountable for their role in disseminating violent content. She emphasized that these platforms must refrain from publishing, promoting, or circulating material related to criminal acts or violent behavior. The government aims to pass binding legislation that will apply to all platforms.

Protecting Mexican Youth

The proposed legislation seeks to protect Mexican youth from exposure to violent content. Sheinbaum confirmed the government’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the companies that own these platforms.

Global Context of Similar Legislation

Sheinbaum noted that countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have enacted similar laws. Brazil has taken further steps by mandating platforms to remove content that incites violence. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Argentina, Chile, and Costa Rica are considering bills to restrict children’s access to social media and block harmful content.

To follow the news in Arabic