Social Media Algorithms Potentially Aiding Predators in Targeting Children, Warns a Brazilian Influencer

In early August, Brazilian influencer Felipe Bressanim, better known as "Felca" online, published a video that reached over 26 million views. The video, titled "adultização", discussed the premature exposure of children and teenagers to adult behavior online.

Felca's video criticized betting companies and the influencers sponsored by them in Brazil. As a result, he has been receiving threats. The video also highlighted several concerning cases, such as a mother who sold graphic videos and pictures of her teenage daughter on Telegram after followers asked for more content. Another case involved influencer Hytalo Santos, who was known for recording content with children and teens and was under investigation for human trafficking and exploiting minors.

The court's ruling on Article 19 from the internet's Marco Civil, which addresses the accountability of platforms for content created by third parties, has been a topic of debate. The Brazilian Federal Supreme Court (STF) voted in favor of social media platforms being held accountable for illegal posts made by their users in June. However, the court determined that Article 19 is only partially constitutional.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has been known for his orders suspending accounts that spread disinformation, hate speech, and even his own account for not complying with legal orders in the country, has been deemed a human rights violator and sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act.

The controversy surrounding Felca's video has sparked 17 bill proposals in the national congress of Brazil. The Deputies Chamber voted and approved bill 2628/2022 on August 20, which aims to protect children and teens regarding apps, electronic games, social media, and computer programs. The bill returned to the Senate for analysis after approval in the Deputies Chamber.

The debate on the regulation of tech platforms in Brazil has taken a new angle with Felca's exposé. Some people on the right of the political spectrum view regulation as synonymous with censorship. However, the Alana Institute, an organization focused on children's rights, published a note supporting the bill last year.

Felca created a new account on Instagram to demonstrate how social media algorithms help predators search for content related to pedophilia. His new account was directed to a curation of videos featuring children performing everyday activities, with comments sections filled with users posting links in GIFs to Telegram groups that share content featuring children and teenagers.

Both Santos and the mother whose daughter's content was shared have had their accounts suspended by Instagram. Felca's actions have raised awareness about the issue and sparked a much-needed conversation about the safety of children online in Brazil.