Mexico to propose bill to curb violent social media content after school attack

MEXICO CITY, Oct 2 - Mexico's government expects to issue a bill next week requiring social media platforms to remove content that incites violence, president Claudia Sheinbaum said on Friday.

The announcement comes after Thursday's deadly attack at a school in Mexico's northern Coahuila state, which left a vice principal dead and four people injured. Two 18-year-olds believed to be the attackers were arrested at the scene.

"The goal is for digital platforms to take on some of the responsibility and refrain from disseminating, promoting, or spreading content related to this type of information—including criminal acts or violent behavior," Sheinbaum said during her daily press conference.

She stated that the government will seek a bill, law, or other legal framework that would require all social media platforms to comply.

Proposed as a measure to protect Mexico's young people from exposure to violence, Sheinbaum also said that authorities are open to dialogue with the platforms.

Countries including Australia and the United Kingdom, as well as the European Union have passed laws requiring social media platforms to remove violent content.

In Latin America, Brazil has gone the furthest: its Supreme Court ruled in 2025 that platforms must remove content that incites violence. Lawmakers in Argentina, Chile and Costa Rica are considering bills that would restrict children's access to social media and require platforms to block harmful content, including sexual or violent material aimed at minors. REUTERS