Following previous talks about a social media ban for minors months ago, Congress has approved on second reading an updated version called Safe and Friendly Environment for Kids in Digital Spaces Act.
The act consolidates over 40 legislative proposals that aim to provide a better oversight on minors using social media. Pasig Representative Roman Romulo, who sponsored the bill, said that “while children have the right to benefit from technology, they must be protected from the risks that technology may expose them to.”
Under the proposed social media ban bill by Congress, children under 13 are prohibited to have access to social media. Those from 13 to 17 years old will have limited access, and these include being prohibited from:
- accessing short videos that encourage doomscrolling;
- launching livestreams without parental authorization or enhanced moderation standards;
- unsolicited direct messaging;
- access to conversational AI bots and generative image/video features;
- conducting online purchases; and
- engaging with “gambling-like mechanisms”.
Social media platforms are also prohibited from targeting teens from 13 to 17 with their recommendation algorithms. They are also required to implement curfews and daily usage limits.
The bill also proposes to establish an Office for Children’s Social Media and Digital Safety, which will be under the DICT and will be the chief regulatory enforcing proper youth protection for social media. Both the DICT and NTC can order internet service providers and app stores to block or restrict public access to non-compliant social media platforms nationwide.
The bill also requires social media platforms to have their own age identification systems that comply with the standards imposed by the proposed Office for Children’s Social Media and Digital Safety. The proposal also requires users to undergo age verification at least twice a year.
Social media platforms who don’t comply will face fines ranging from Php 5 million to Php 20 million, and can risk having their registration or authority to operate in the Philippines suspended or revoked.
