President Marcos Weighs Blanket Social Media Ban for Minors in the Philippines
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated on Sunday that his administration is studying digital service restrictions very carefully, following legislative actions by the Philippine Congress targeting youth access to online platforms. Speaking to reporters in Singapore, Marcos noted that while other countries have instituted blanket bans, preventing youth violence requires a broader approach that addresses the psychological roots of behavioral problems rather than relying on a single administrative rule, Inquirer reported.
The presidential remarks follow legislative measures advanced by both chambers of Congress. On Thursday, Oct. 8, the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 2424, also known as the Safe Media Access and Responsible Technology for Kids in Digital Spaces (SMART KIDS) Act, by a vote of 16 to one, as reported by Newsbytes.PH. Sponsored by Sen. Robinhood Padilla, the legislation prohibits minors below 18 years old from accessing high-risk digital platforms, including services operated by Meta Platforms, Roblox, and Gorebox.
Simultaneously, the House of Representatives approved House Bill 10858, which bars children below 13 years old from creating, maintaining, or using online accounts, according to Philstar.com. These measures were filed in response to recent school security incidents in South Cotabato, Zamboanga City, and Tacloban that resulted in nine fatalities. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated that authorities foiled 53 school shootings planned in South Cotabato following an incident at Banga National High School, with over 50 individuals arrested for making online threats or grooming, Inquirer noted.
Legislative Framework and Enforcement Penalties Under the Senate Bill
Senate Bill No. 2424 establishes a regulatory framework requiring high-risk digital services to implement age-assurance mechanisms and prevent underage users from opening accounts. According to Newsbytes.PH, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will oversee implementation and maintain a public reporting platform for violations. High-risk providers found in violation face fines ranging from P5 million to P20 million per violation, plus an additional P100,000 daily fine for continued noncompliance. Parents and legal guardians who knowingly assist minors in bypassing age-assurance tools face fines up to P50,000, community service, or mandatory digital parenting programs.
The legislation draws distinctions regarding which services are covered. Exemptions apply to electronic mail, private messaging apps, educational platforms, news services, professional collaboration tools, and online gaming services not primarily used for social networking, Newsbytes.PH reported. Implementation details for platforms like Roblox depend on whether they meet the formal high-risk classification established by the measure.
Arguments From Advocacy Groups and Legislative Dissenters
Child rights advocates and mental health professionals have raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of a total ban. The Child Rights Network Philippines and the Philippine Mental Health Association argued that restricting digital access fails to address the underlying causes of youth violence, advocating instead for mental health support, safe school environments, and tech platform accountability, Inquirer reported.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who cast the lone dissenting vote against Senate Bill 2424, pointed out that a 13-year-old and a 17-year-old possess evolving capacities under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. As reported by Rappler, Hontiveros emphasized that social media provides essential economic livelihoods, helps youth connect with overseas Filipino worker parents, and serves as an avenue for political participation and reporting abuse. She noted that 15-year-old Filipinos can legally work and vote in Sangguniang Kabataan elections, making broad restrictions counterproductive to their rights of expression.
President Marcos echoed implementation concerns raised by international precedents, noting that bans often drive youth activity underground. Citing international data, Marcos observed that when access is prohibited, children frequently find ways to hide their online usage, making it harder for parents and authorities to monitor exposure to grooming or harmful material, Philstar.com reported.
In tandem with legislative debates, the Department of Education (DepEd) launched National School Safety Week on Oct. 12 to address bullying, online exploitation, and school violence. Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the official kickoff at Cainta Elementary School, urging community collaboration among families, local officials, and educational institutions to protect students, according to Philstar.com.
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