Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian has filed a bill seeking to prohibit children below 16 years old from creating, accessing, or maintaining accounts on any social media platform, citing the need to strengthen safeguards for minors in the digital space.
“Panahon na upang protektahan ang ating mga kabataan mula sa pinsalang dulot ng social media. Huwag na nating hintaying lumala ang problema bago tayo umaksyon,” Gatchalian said in filing the proposed Social Media Safety for Children Act or Senate Bill No. 2066.
The measure aligns with policies already implemented in other countries that have moved to regulate or restrict social media access for minors. These include Australia, which approved the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age Act 2024), set to have taken effect in December 2025. Indonesia has also introduced similar restrictions banning social media use for children under 16.
Under the proposed Philippine legislation, social media companies would be required to implement stricter age and identity verification systems. Platforms must also conduct regular audits to ensure compliance, including the deactivation of accounts belonging to underage users. In addition, providers would be mandated to establish reporting and response mechanisms to address violations involving minors.
The bill also directs the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), National Privacy Commission (NPC), and other relevant agencies, to craft the implementing rules and regulations within 90 days after the law takes effect.
Gatchalian said the proposal aims to reduce the risks and negative impacts of early and unsupervised exposure of children to social media platforms, as discussions on online safety and child protection continue to gain attention in the country.