Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a bill banning children below 16 from registering, accessing, or keeping social media accounts.
The proposed Social Media Safety for Children Act (Senate Bill No. 2066) aims to shield minors from online harm, following similar moves abroad, including in Australia and Indonesia.
“Panahon na upang protektahan ang ating mga kabataan mula sa pinsalang dulot ng social media. Huwag na nating hintaying lumala ang problema bago tayo umaksyon,” said Gatchalian.
The measure requires platforms to enforce strict age and identity verification, regularly purge underage accounts, and set up reporting systems for violations.
It also tasks the Department of Information and Communications Technology, along with other agencies, to draft implementing rules within 90 days once the law takes effect.IMT
