Senator Win Gatchalian has introduced a groundbreaking bill aimed at safeguarding children from the potential harms of social media. The proposed legislation, known as the Social Media Safety for Children Act (Senate Bill No. 2066), seeks to prohibit minors under the age of 16 from registering, accessing, or maintaining accounts on any social media platform.
According to a statement from the Senate of the Philippines, the bill emphasizes the need for immediate action to protect the youth from the adverse effects of social media.
What the Bill Proposes
The Social Media Safety for Children Act outlines several measures to enforce the age restriction effectively:
- Age and Identity Verification: Social media platforms will be required to implement systems to verify the age and identity of users.
- Regular Audits: Platforms must conduct regular audits to identify and deactivate accounts belonging to underage users.
- Reporting Mechanisms: Providers will need to establish systems for reporting and addressing cases of underage access.
Learning from Global Examples
The proposed legislation draws inspiration from similar measures implemented in other countries:
- Australia: The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age Act 2024) came into effect in December 2025, making Australia the first country to enforce such a ban.
- Indonesia: In Southeast Asia, Indonesia led the way by banning social media access for children under 16.
Implementation and Oversight
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in collaboration with agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and National Privacy Commission (NPC), will be tasked with drafting the rules and regulations. These guidelines are expected to be finalized within 90 days of the bill’s enactment.
Senator Gatchalian initiative underscores the growing concern over the impact of social media on young users and aims to create a safer digital environment for Filipino children.
According to a statement from Senate.Gov.PH.
