There is no harmonised framework governing advertising aimed at children on video on demand (VOD) platforms in the Americas. Regulation ranges from a comprehensive regime to a total lack of specific rules, depending on the jurisdiction.
Key takeaways
- More than half of all the surveyed countries do not regulate advertising aimed at minors on VOD platforms.
- Brazil stands out with a comprehensive framework, whereas Canada applies binding rules only in Quebec.
- The US relies on non-binding federal guidelines, a softer regulatory approach compared to some Latin American countries.
Why it matters: This trend may point to a regulatory blind spot across the Americas, as advertising is becoming more prevalent on VOD services. Some research projects that advertising on these platforms will reach close to 28% of global streaming revenues by 2028, up from 20% in 2023.
Background/context: Regulation of advertising to children has traditionally focused on linear television. But the safety of minors online is becoming a global priority, with more countries limiting minors and youth from accessing social media and other online content.
Cullen International’s latest benchmark shows whether there are restrictions on advertising to protect public health or minors in selected countries in the Americas region.
Scope
Region: Americas
Countries covered: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, US
Policy area: Audiovisual / advertising / child protection
Last updated: March 2026
For more information and access to the full benchmark, please click on “Access the full content” - or on “Request access”, in case you are not subscribed to our Americas Media service.
See also our related Americas benchmarks on the protection of minors online:
more news
07 August 26
Global trends in data centres and cloud service providers
An updated Global Trends benchmark analyses policies and regulations of relevance for data centre and cloud service providers (CSPs) across 14 jurisdictions. It found there are different approaches worldwide on aspects such as licensing, ownership restrictions, cloud-related competition policies, cybersecurity and use of subsidies in the cloud sector.
04 August 26
Cross-border IoT data transfer rules across seven APAC markets
This new Cullen International benchmark analyses whether global IoT and M2M operating models can centralise data and platform functions outside the country where connected devices operate. It covers Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea, assessing how data protection, telecommunications, cybersecurity and sector-specific regulation affect the feasibility of offshore operating models.
27 July 26
Spectrum policy adapts to support new network models in the Americas
Cullen International's latest Americas Spectrum Benchmarks compare regulatory approaches across the Americas for a range of topics, including 5G deployment, spectrum assignments, spectrum refarming and private networks.