Kids Could Soon Be Blocked From Social Media Under New Senate Proposal
SOCIAL MEDIA – A controversial proposal in the Senate is drawing attention as it seeks to completely restrict minors from accessing social media platforms.
A new bill seeking to regulate minors’ access to social media has been formally introduced in the Senate by Sherwin Gatchalian. The proposed measure aims to shield young users from the potential harms associated with online platforms, marking a significant step in addressing growing concerns over digital safety among children.
Filed as Senate Bill No. 2066, also known as the “Social Media Safety for Children Act,” the proposal seeks to prohibit minors from using any social media platform. According to Gatchalian, the bill is intended to respond to the increasing risks that social media poses to the well-being and development of the youth.
“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,” said Gatchalian.
Under the proposed legislation, social media platform providers will be required to implement strict age and identity verification systems. They must also conduct regular audits to identify and deactivate accounts belonging to underage users. Additionally, companies will need to establish reporting and response mechanisms to address instances of minors accessing their platforms.
The implementation of the bill will involve coordination among several government agencies. These include the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and National Privacy Commission (NPC). Together with private sector stakeholders, these agencies are tasked with crafting the implementing rules and regulations within 90 days once the measure is enacted.
The proposal follows similar moves in other countries. Australia implemented a social media ban for minors in December 2025, while Indonesia became the first Southeast Asian nation to enforce a comparable policy in March.
Earlier, a related proposal was also introduced in the House of Representatives by Eddie Villanueva, representing the Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) Partylist. His measure similarly aimed to restrict social media use among individuals aged 16 and below.
As discussions around the bill continue, it highlights the growing urgency to balance technological access with the safety and well-being of younger generations in an increasingly digital world.