Child-specific protections in video games in the Americas are largely based on self-regulation, particularly through content rating systems, with only a few of the surveyed countries adopting binding rules. Regulatory approaches focus mainly on privacy, access restrictions and, in some cases, broader child safety obligations.

Key takeaways

• Most countries rely on self-regulation (e.g. content ratings), with limited binding obligations specifically targeting child protection in video games.
• Brazil stands out with a comprehensive framework, including obligations on game design, parental consent for purchases, accessibility, and abuse-reporting mechanism.
• In the US, there are no specific video game rules, but federal law imposes strict privacy obligations for services targeting children under 13, with enforcement actions such as the US$520m federal case against Epic Games.

Why it matters
Some may claim that the predominance of self-regulation may lead to inconsistent levels of protection for minors, particularly in online gaming environments. In view of the worldwide drive to protect minors from online harms, stricter national rules, such as those in Brazil, could signal a shift towards more comprehensive regulatory frameworks in the region.

Background/context
Video game regulation has traditionally relied on industry-led content rating systems rather than binding legal obligations. However, concerns around children’s privacy, online safety and commercial practices have prompted some regulatory action. In the US, enforcement has focused on privacy breaches under federal law, while Canada applies both federal general privacy rules and provincial restrictions on access to age-rated content. Brazil has taken a more interventionist approach, introducing detailed requirements on developers and, more recently, broader online child protection obligations (Law 15,211/2025). The extraterritorial application of Brazilian rules remains uncertain, and enforcement mechanisms are still limited in some cases.

Cullen International’s latest benchmark covers online gaming regulation in selected countries in the Americas region.

Scope
Region: Americas
Countries covered: Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, US, Argentina, Chile, Peru
Policy area: Video games / online safety / child protection / privacy
Last updated: March 2026

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