Latest news and stories about child protection in government in Portugal for expats and residents.
Over 2,400 organisations are warning of severe child protection risks following the expiration of the European legal framework for monitoring online child sexual abuse.
Sofia Neves analyzes the controversy surrounding digital influencers visiting schools, highlighting systemic failures in school management and the urgent need for impartial investigation into child safety.
The PSD will submit a bill proposing age verification at social media account creation to enforce a ban on under-13s and restrict access for under-16s. The measure, described as sensible and largely inevitable in an editorial, aims to protect children and reduce pressures such as the pursuit of likes, though it raises practical enforcement and privacy concerns about verification methods.
Reports from the Superior Council of the Public Prosecution Service obtained by CNN Portugal state that in units such as Sintra or Seixal, there are hundreds of unprocessed emails and cases that have been stalled long enough for the minor to reach the age of majority. “The protection of children's rights has not been achieved,” the document warns.
Online pornography also saw a significant increase between 2022 and 2025. These are figures from APAV (Victim Support Association), which supported approximately 13,000 children and young people during this period, equivalent to 9 minors per day.
More than 13,000 children and young people have been supported by the Portuguese Association for Victim Support over the last four years, amid a context of worsening violence in which sexual abuse has more than doubled during this period.
Between 2022 and 2025, APAV supported 2,875 children due to issues of sexual violence. Sexual crimes account for 32% of the total crimes against minors. There is a preponderance of family members among the aggressors.
“This marks a dark day for children's rights at a European level,” reacted an expert, predicting “a brutal decrease of around 80% to 90%” in reports related to sexual abuse.
With the end of the exemption to European legislation on privacy in the digital world, children and adolescents will be even more exposed to sexual abuse. Abusers will have an easier time from 11:59 PM this Friday.
The document also warns of a “significant increase in minor victims coerced into sharing self-produced content.”
Only PS MEPs voted in favour of continuing the European mechanism for detecting pornographic content, in a decision classified as a “huge setback” in child protection.
The European Union decided this Thursday that the rules for detecting online child sexual abuse will not be extended.
The European Commission advocates for a common minimum age for social media access and is preparing a verification application to strengthen the protection of children in the digital space.
The European Commission advocates for a common position within the European Union (EU) regarding the minimum age for social media to ensure uniform protection for children and prevent differences between member states from creating inequalities in the digital market.
The author, a family photographer, discusses the importance of the new Felca Law in Portugal, which aims to regulate the digital exposure and monetization of children by influencers. The article argues that childhood should not be treated as a growth strategy or a commodity, highlighting the need to protect children's privacy, dignity, and future rights to their own image, while also addressing the systemic lack of support for mothers that often drives this digital exploitation.
The association Quebrar o Silêncio warned today of a potential increase in cases of child sexual abuse and a reduction in reports following the end of the European exception for detecting online child sexual abuse.
The organization believes that the end of this measure could represent a “profound setback” in the protection of minors.
The European Parliament, European Commission, and European Council met on Monday and failed to reach an agreement to allow platforms to continue tracking images of child pornography and child abuse. Tito Morais, founder of the Projeto Agarrados à NET, explains the potential dangers involved.
Rules approved in 2021 had been in force since 2022 while more permanent solutions were being negotiated. Without an agreement, there will be no rules in place as of April 3rd.
In an opinion signed by the Inspector-General of Education and Science, the Ministry reminds schools that the use of school spaces or facilities may only be permitted to individuals and activities that comply with and respect the law, amid concerns regarding influencers and the sexualisation of children.
On Monday, the PSD submitted to parliament a bill to curb free access to social media and other platforms for children up to the age of 16, making parental or legal guardian consent mandatory. The bill, which aims to establish “measures to protect children in digital environments”, is sponsored by ...
Today the PSD submitted to Parliament a bill to curb unrestricted access by children up to the age of 16 to social media and other platforms, requiring the consent of their parents or legal guardians.
The bill aims to establish “measures to protect children in digital environments”.
The proposal to restrict access to social media for people under 16, which is expected to be easily approved, is a common-sense and, in many respects, inevitable measure. Editorial by Helena Pereira
Funding of one million euros has already been secured and the centres should bring several services together in a single location. By September, a free helpline to support victims of violence should be in operation.
Nuno Pardal Ribeiro, a former Chega official, begins trial today in Cascais accused of using minors for prostitution. The Public Prosecutor's Office wants him barred from holding positions that involve contact with young people.
The state seeks to protect minors' emotional development.
Investigators arrested a man who had a 10-year prison sentence to serve for sexual abuse of minors.
The European leader said she was shocked by the sexualisation of children in Musk's AI.
The proposal from Chega received favourable votes from Chega itself, PAN and JPP. PCP, PS, PSD and IL voted against.
