Janja calls Discord a 'horrible network' after live suicide case and calls for blocking in Brazil

The request from President Lula's wife (PT) was made due to the case in which a 13-year-old girl was allegedly induced by other teenagers to self-mutilate and commit suicide, scenes broadcast on the platform.

The case occurred in Mato Grosso do Sul. On Tuesday (4), the police carried out an operation against the group of young people suspected of having participated in grooming the teenager.

"We need to block Discord in Brazil anyway. We need to find instruments for this to happen," she said. "We need to work with the Judiciary to take this horrible network off the air, which is not only [horrific] with children and teenagers, but mainly with women."

Messias said he requested the Ministry of Justice to send all information about the case so that the AGU can take action against Discord. "Since it [the platform] has no commitment to Brazilian legislation and does not protect children and adolescents," he said.

Regarding the case in question, the Secretary of Digital Rights at the Ministry of Justice, Victor Oliveira Fernandes, stated that there was a failure of all protection mechanisms for minors under 18 years of age.

The secretary stated that the platform did not verify the age of any of the profiles participating in the live. More than 200 people would be watching the live broadcast. The report contacted Discord by email early this Thursday evening, but received no response until the publication of this text.

Folha de S.Paulo showed this month how digital groups organize themselves as factions, with division of tasks and hierarchies, and turn to crimes against children and adolescents on platforms.

Janja's statements were made during a ceremony in which Lula sanctioned a law that increased penalties for sexual crimes involving children and adolescents and criminalized the use of artificial intelligence to simulate the participation of minors under 18 in sexual content.

The new legislation toughens punishment for crimes already covered by the ECA (Child and Adolescent Statute). The maximum sentence also changes from 8 to 10 years for anyone who produces, reproduces, directs, photographs, films or sells content involving sexual violence against children or adolescents. Along with this, the main crimes of child sexual violence are also classified as heinous.

SEE WHERE TO FIND HELP

Vita Alere Institute for Suicide Prevention and Postvention

It offers support groups for the bereaved and family members of people with suicidal ideation, informative booklets on prevention and postvention and courses for professionals.

vitaalere.com.br

Abrases (Brazilian Association of Survivors Bereaved by Suicide)

It provides informative materials, such as booklets and ebooks, and recommends support groups in all regions of the country.

abrases.org.br

CVV (Center for the Valuation of Life)

Provides voluntary and free emotional support and suicide prevention services to all people who want and need to talk, under complete confidentiality and anonymity via the website and telephone 188

cvv.org.br