Legal definitions
In Belize, a “child” is defined as “a person below the age of 18 years.” “Commercial sexual exploitation” has a broad definition that includes a range of activities, including the “illicit transfer or sale of the organs of a child.” Some terms—including “sexually explicit conduct,” “child sexual abuse,” and sextortion—are concepts included in other legal definitions, such as “sexual activity,” “child abuse,” and “coercion.”
The definition of “child pornography” includes content “made by electronic or mechanical means” (understood to be inclusive of generative artificial intelligence) and any “written material or visual representation that advocates or counsels sexual activity with a child.”
Elements of enticement or grooming are included in the definition of “child prostitution,” but still subject to commercial elements related to “remuneration” of some thing or benefit. The age of consent in Belize is 16 years.
Regulatory requirements/recommendations
The law in Belize does not require service providers to undertake any particular activities related to screening, moderating, reporting, or removing content related to online child sexual exploitation, but it does provide immunity from liability for “any action voluntarily taken in good faith to” do so.
Age verification requirements/recommendations
There are no apparent legal requirements or recommendations for online platforms to implement age verification practices.
Parental consent requirements/recommendations
There are no apparent legal requirements or recommendations for online platforms to obtain parental consent before a child uses their services.
Legal remedies for child victims
There are no apparent legal remedies for children victimized through online child sexual exploitation.
"Safety by Design" requirements
There are no apparent legal requirements for online platforms to incorporate “Safety by Design” into their systems.