Lacson pushes social media ban for minors

National

LOGGING on might soon require growing up.

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is backing a bill that would boot minors off social media in a bid to curb online harm.

Filed in the Senate as “An Act Regulating the Use of Social Media Platforms by Minors, Imposing Age Restrictions, Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof, and for Other Purposes,” the proposed legislation seeks to prohibit individuals under 18 from using social media platforms. Lacson cited growing concerns over the impact of online content on children’s mental and emotional well-being.

Citing a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) study, the bill emphasizes that minors are particularly susceptible to cyberbullying, online harassment, and body image pressure. The proposal takes cues from similar international legislation and aligns with the Philippines’ policy of protecting children’s mental and emotional well-being.

“This bill is being proposed to protect Filipino children below 18 years old from online risks and harmful content,” Lacson said in a Philstar report.

Platforms held responsible

Under the bill, social media companies would be required to establish robust age verification systems, using tools such as government ID submission and facial recognition. They would also be expected to regularly audit user accounts and remove those that belong to underage individuals. Internal protocols must also be created to respond when age-restricted users are identified.

Fines and sanctions

Entities that fail to comply would face hefty penalties:

•Social media platforms could be fined between ₱1 million and ₱20 million.

•Internet service providers (ISPs) could incur administrative fines ranging from ₱300,000 to ₱3 million for not enforcing state-mandated access blocks.

•Third-party age verification providers that violate data privacy laws may be fined ₱500,000 to ₱5 million and face a permanent ban from operating in the Philippines.

Lacson said the bill is designed to complement existing legislation, including the Data Privacy Act, to ensure rights and responsibilities are clearly defined for all parties involved.

DICT Oversight

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) would act as the primary implementing agency, with oversight of compliance by platforms, ISPs, and age-verification services.

The proposed regulation comes amid mounting concern from lawmakers and officials over the consequences of unregulated social media access. Beyond mental health issues, some have pointed to the rise in child sexual abuse materials and the rapid spread of disinformation as reasons to strengthen protections for younger users.