Legal definitions
In Venezuela, a “child” is a human being below the age of 12 years old and an “adolescent” is older than 12 years old but younger than 18 years old. If there is any doubt as to whether a child may be an adolescent or an adolescent may be an adult, they are to be presumed to be the younger categorization until proof to the contrary is provided. The age of consent is inconsistent: one law defines the age one can consent to sexual activity as 12 years old, but another defines it as 16 years old.
Child sexual exploitation, sexually explicit content, and child sexual abuse are not specifically defined, but related concepts exist in Venezuelan law. There is no relevant legal definition for enticement, grooming, or sextortion.
Regulatory requirements/recommendations
There are no specific legal or regulatory requirements for online platforms to undertake activities on their systems to protect children online in Venezuela. There are related penalties for persons “using” the image or person of a child for pornographic purposes.
Venezuela has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, including the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography, which mandates that activities involved in the sexual exploitation of children must be fully covered by a signatory’s criminal law and that child victims be adequately protected.
Age verification requirements/recommendations
Online platforms are not required to implement any method of age verification before a user can access their services.
Parental consent requirements/recommendations
Online platforms are not required to obtain parental consent before allowing a child to access their services.
Legal remedies for child victims
There are no specific legal remedies for child victims in Venezuela.
"Safety by Design" requirements
Online platforms are not required to incorporate “Safety by Design” into their systems.