Article 12 of the Saudi Child Protection Law

This article protects the child from harmful content directed at the child. The child, under Article 1, is every human being who has not exceeded eighteen years of age.

Prohibited acts: the prohibition covers five acts, so it is not limited to whoever produces the content:

• Producing.
• Publishing.
• Displaying.
• Trading.
• Possessing.

Subject of the prohibition: any printed, visual or audio work, provided it is directed at the child.

When is a work prohibited? If one of two descriptions applies:

1. It addresses or arouses the child's instincts in a way that makes appealing to the child conduct contrary to the provisions of Islamic Sharia, public order or public morals.
2. Or it is likely to encourage the child toward behavioral or intellectual delinquency.

The end of the article was amended by Royal Decree No. M/72 dated 6/8/1443 AH to become its current text, which mentions behavioral or intellectual delinquency.

Its place among the prohibitions: the article is among the prohibitions connected with protecting the child, alongside Article 11, which prohibits selling tobacco and its derivatives to a child or using a child to buy, sell or advertise them, prohibits toys and sweets made in the shape of cigarettes and showing scenes that encourage smoking, and Article 13, which prohibits the child's participation in races and sports or entertainment activities that endanger safety or health.

This article does not state the penalty for violation. Anyone with a question about particular content or facing an accusation about it should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.