Whether minors can use such items has long been controversial in European and American countries, with the key concern being the protection of minors' physical and mental health. Most countries follow the "protection first" principle, but specific rules vary by culture and law.
The "18+" Red Line for Sex Toys in European and American
Most European countries and USA have a clear 18+ age ban on minors’ access to sex toys. The U.S., EU member states, the UK, Canada and others have legislated to prohibit selling or providing sex toys to minors, and some countries classify related violations as criminal offenses.
Country/Region | Core Regulatory Policies |
United States | Dual federal and state regulation bans selling sex toys to minors and prohibits minors from purchasing or possessing them. Some states classify providing sex toys to minors as a misdemeanor or higher, with fines, imprisonment and credit penalties for violators. |
EU (including member states) | Sex toys must be labeled "18+," and e-commerce platforms must verify buyers’ ages. Non-compliant platforms may be fined up to 6% of global annual revenue, and minors are banned from accessing such items. |
United Kingdom | Under the Online Safety Act, platforms must implement age verification and ban providing sex toys to minors; violators face heavy fines or criminal penalties. |
Canada | Bill S-210 bans selling or providing sex toys to minors. Minors in possession must surrender them, and sellers face criminal charges and heavy fines. |
In 2025, Shein failed to verify ages for sex toy sales in the EU, allowing minor purchases. It removed products, launched multi-layer age verification and paid heavy fines. The Netherlands also ordered platforms to upgrade verification after minor purchase complaints.
Why Ban It?
Banning minors from using sex toys is a scientific protection measure based on their physical and mental development and public interests. First, it distorts sexual cognition. Minors are forming values; sex toy exposure instrumentalizes sex, undermining healthy perceptions and eroding the "children are inviolable" consensus.
Second, it raises safety risks. Studies (e.g., Queensland University of Technology, 2025) show minors exposed to sex toys are 3 times more likely to suffer sexual abuse, with weakened self-protection and increased risk of inappropriate behavior.
Third, it harms physical and mental development, reinforcing wrong sexual preferences, causing anxiety and increasing vulnerability to exploitation by criminals.
Sex Education & Protection
U.S. and UK schools focus on teaching minors to recognize physical boundaries and self-protection in sex education, while EU countries require sex education content to comply with the Digital Services Act and prohibit any form of sex toy involvement.
Even in professional sex counseling, the use of relevant tools for minors is strictly restricted, which is also to avoid violating the principle of minor protection and the social consensus that "children should not be sexualized".
Do minors use sex toys?
The answer is yes. Despite strong regulatory oversight, some e-commerce platforms only inform users of age policies rather than requiring mandatory verification. Furthermore, for minors in most countries, purchasing sex toys does not lead to serious consequences.
As teenagers grow older, their sexual desires become increasingly stronger. Sex toys such as sex dolls can effectively relieve stress and reduce sex crimes. Hopefully, future policies will become more comprehensive.
