Bill banning social media for users 16 years old and below filed in House
A bill that seeks to prohibit social media access for minors aged 16 years old and below has been filed in the House of Representatives.
CIBAC Party-List Representative Eduardo "Bro. Eddie" C. Villanueva filed, on March 3, House Bill 8262, or the "Social Media Protection for Minors Act".
The proposed bill is pushing to create "a safe digital environment for children" by regulating their access to social media platforms through a minimum-age requirement. To implement this, platform operators are to be bound by clear legal obligations to prevent underage access. According to the measure, social media platforms, not parents and children, will assume the burden and responsibility of maintaining online safety.
Under the proposal, no minors 16 years old and below should be allowed to "create, maintain, or access an account on a social media platform" regardless of the manner in which they access the platform, whether directly, indirectly, or through third-party tools.
To enforce this, Villanueva's proposal asks platform operators to implement a mechanism that can detect accounts that use fake credentials, and bolster it with age-assurance systems. Operators are also to be obligated, under the proposed bill, to minimize their collection and retention of personal data belonging to minors.
All accounts suspected to be used by minors are to be promptly reviewed, suspended, deactivated, or removed; the action, however, is subject to notice and review processes.
According to a statement by CIBAC Party-list posted on March 10 on its Facebook page, Villanueva filed the bill in response to the increasing global concern over the harmful effects of extensive social media use on children's well-being.
Australia, Spain, France, and Indonesia recently introduced similar restrictions on minors' social media use.
Related to Villanueva's bill, Cavite 2nd District Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla also filed House Bill 7300, or the Social Media Accountability Act, which aims to regulate algorithms to make social media platforms safe for children.
"Algorithms influence behavior, shape emotions, and quietly affect how people understand the world. When left unchecked, these systems can cause real harm, particularly to children and other vulnerable users," Mercado-Revilla said. (with reports from Delon Porcalla)
