Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has filed a bill seeking to regulate the use of social media among minors in the Philippines, citing growing concerns over its negative effects on young users.
Lacson said the proposed measure aims to protect Filipino youth from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and social isolation, which are linked to excessive social media use.
Under the bill, minors would be prohibited from accessing social media platforms. To implement this, the law would require social media companies to verify users’ ages through methods like ID checks, facial recognition, or other identity authentication systems.
Platforms would also be subject to regular audits of their user data to ensure compliance.
Any social media platform or service provider found violating the proposed law could face fines ranging from P1 million to P20 million per offense.
Repeat or severe violations could result in license suspension or revocation.
Lacson emphasized the need for proactive regulation to address the harmful consequences of online exposure among minors. The bill is currently pending in the Senate.
