A proposed measure seeking to ban children aged 16 and below from registering and using social media platforms has been filed in the Senate by Sen. Win Gatchalian.
Gatchalian said the proposed law aims to protect young people from the harmful effects associated with social media use.
According to the senator, the government should act before the problem worsens instead of waiting for more negative consequences to emerge.
Under Senate Bill No. 2066, social media providers will be required to implement a mandatory age and identity verification system to prevent underage users from creating accounts.
The proposed measure also directs social media companies to conduct regular audits to identify and deactivate accounts belonging to users who fall under age-restricted categories.
Gatchalian emphasized that protective measures are necessary to ensure that minors are shielded from risks linked to social media exposure.
The bill outlines responsibilities for social media providers to strengthen monitoring systems and enforce compliance with age restrictions once the measure becomes law.
If enacted, the proposed legislation would impose obligations on social media platforms operating in the country to strictly enforce user age verification and account monitoring procedures.
The filing of Senate Bill No. 2066 adds to ongoing discussions in the Senate on policies intended to regulate digital platforms and improve online safety for minors.
Further deliberations are expected as lawmakers review the proposed measure and its potential impact on both social media providers and young users across the Philippines.
