Minor (law) facts for kids

A minor is a person who has not yet reached the age when they are considered an adult by law. This age is called the age of majority. When someone is a minor, they are also called underage. The age of majority is different in various countries, but it is often 18 years old. Being a minor means there are certain rules and laws that apply to you, like not being able to vote or buy some products.

What is the Age of Majority?

The age of majority is the specific age when a person legally becomes an adult. At this point, they gain full legal rights and responsibilities. This means they can make their own decisions, sign contracts, and are responsible for their actions in a different way than when they were children.

How Age of Majority Changes

The exact age of majority can be different depending on where you live. Each country or even different parts of a country (like states in the United States) can set their own age. This is why you might hear about different ages for different things around the world.

Age Rules in Different Countries

In many places, the age of majority is 18. However, some countries have different rules for when someone is considered an adult or can do certain things.

• In most parts of the United States, people under 21 years old are not allowed to buy or have alcoholic drinks.
• In countries like Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, the age for buying alcoholic drinks is 18.
• In Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand, a person is generally considered a minor until they are 20 years old. There are some special cases where a young person can be considered an adult earlier, which is called being "emancipated."

See also

In Spanish: Minoría de edad para niños