Digital adultization and its legal challenges

youth privacy and autonomy in cybersecurity contexts

Abstract

This article analyzes the legal challenges of digital adultization and its impacts on the protection of youth privacy and autonomy in cybersecurity contexts. The study aims to understand how the Brazilian legal framework addresses the early exposure of children and adolescents to practices and content typical of the adult digital sphere. It adopts a qualitative and documentary methodology based on current legislation, especially the General Data Protection Law (Law No. 13.709/2018), the Child and Adolescent Statute (Law No. 8.069/1990), and the Civil Rights Framework for the Internet (Law No. 12.965/2014), as well as reports from the ANPD, UNICEF, and SaferNet Brazil. The research shows that digital adultization increases informational vulnerabilities and demands more effective legal measures for prevention and accountability. The results indicate that, although current regulation recognizes the principle of the best interests of the child, it still lacks practical mechanisms for enforcement and digital education. It is concluded that balancing privacy, autonomy, and cybersecurity requires integrated public policies, stronger platform responsibility, and the enhancement of data protection guarantees for children and adolescents.