Legal definitions
Slovak law defines a “child” as a person under age 18. The legal age of consent for sexual activity, although not expressly defined, is understood to be 15 as sexual activity with a person under 15 is criminalized regardless of consent.
“Child sexual exploitation” is not expressly defined, but Slovak law criminalizes associated conduct, including child prostitution, trafficking of children for sexual exploitation, pimping involving minors, and misuse of children for sexual purposes. “Sexually explicit conduct” is not expressly defined.
Child sexual abuse is criminalized through multiple provisions prohibiting sexual intercourse, sexual exploitation, sexual communication, and facilitation of abuse of children, particularly those under age 15, with enhanced liability where the victim is a protected person, coercion or abuse of authority is involved, or serious harm or endangerment occurs.
“Child pornography” (child sexual abuse material or CSAM) is defined as depictions of “real or pretended” sexual acts, sexual contact, or exposed body parts involving a child or a person appearing to be a child, intended for sexual purposes. “Enticement” and “grooming” are not expressly defined, but related conduct is criminalized through offenses including child trafficking, electronic solicitation of minors, and misuse of children for sexual purposes.
Regulatory requirements/recommendations
Under the European Union (EU) Digital Services Act (DSA), online platforms are not subject to a general obligation to proactively monitor all user content, but they are required to implement notice-and-action mechanisms, remove illegal content such as CSAM once aware of it, and take proportionate measures to mitigate systemic risks, including risks to children. Furthermore, Slovakia has separate domestic legislation regulating video-sharing platforms, requiring providers to implement appropriate and proportionate measures to protect minors from harmful content, including content that may impair their physical, mental, or moral development.
Age verification requirements/recommendations
Online platforms are not subject to a general obligation to implement age-verification measures before granting access, but they may be required to adopt proportionate age-verification or parental-control measures for certain services or content where necessary to protect minors under the DSA.
Parental consent requirements/recommendations
Online platforms are not required to obtain parental consent before allowing a child to access their services.
Legal remedies for child victims
As an EU Member State, Slovakia protects child victims of online sexual exploitation through a combination of victim rights legislation, criminal law directives, data protection remedies, and platform obligations that ensure access to support, participation in proceedings, removal of illegal content, and avenues for redress. In addition to EU-level remedies, Slovakia provides domestic legal protections for child victims through its Criminal Procedure Code, Civil Code, and Media Services Act, which enable participation in criminal proceedings, court ordered removal or blocking of CSAM, injunctions against further dissemination, and claims for monetary and non-monetary compensation.
"Safety by Design" requirements
Online platforms, particularly video-sharing platforms, are legally required under Slovak law to incorporate “Safety by Design” measures into their systems. Platforms must adopt appropriate and proportionate safeguards to protect minors and the public from harmful and illegal content, including CSAM, content inciting violence or hatred, and other criminal material. Failure to comply may result in enforcement action, including fines or operational restrictions under national and EU law.