The Marcos administration is open to supporting a Senate bill that would bar minors from accessing social media platforms, a proposal that has stirred fresh debate over online freedoms and the government’s role in protecting youth from digital harm.
At a press briefing on Thursday, July 3, Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is willing to back the proposed measure filed by Senator Panfilo Lacson, provided it truly serves the interest of the Filipino people, particularly children.
“Kung ano iyong makabubuti sa ating mga kababayan, lalung-lalo na sa mga kabataan,” said Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro. “Kung ito po talaga ay magko-cause ng mental health issues, sususugan din po ng Pangulo iyan.”
The statement was made in response to media queries regarding Senate Bill No. ___ (not yet numbered in the source), which seeks to prohibit Filipinos under the age of 18 from using social media altogether, a sweeping proposal justified by growing concerns over mental health and digital safety.
Lacson, who cited findings from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), noted that minors in the Philippines are increasingly exposed to online risks, including body image anxiety, cyberbullying, and predatory behavior. The senator argued that the best way to shield young Filipinos is by restricting their access entirely.
“This bill is being proposed to protect Filipino children below 18 years old from online risks and harmful content,” Lacson said, describing the initiative as a necessary step to address the invisible wounds inflicted by digital spaces.
The Palace’s response to the proposal was notably cautious yet affirming. Castro emphasized that the President’s support hinges on one condition: “basta po ito ay para sa taumbayan, at lalung-lalo na para sa kabataan.”
If passed, Lacson’s bill would make the Philippines one of the strictest countries in the region when it comes to youth access to digital platforms, a move some observers warn could raise enforcement and ethical questions.
Advocates of child protection, however, welcomed the signal of support from Malacañang, noting that social media’s algorithm-driven environments have long gone unchecked.
Still, critics are likely to raise concerns about how such a policy would be implemented without infringing on digital rights or widening the digital divide among Filipino families. Many youths rely on social media not just for entertainment but for education, information, and social connection, especially in remote or underserved areas.
While the administration’s position remains unofficial pending a review of the full bill text, the President’s willingness to “gain backing” for the legislation suggests that digital wellness may be emerging as a legislative priority, especially amid rising local and global alarm over the unseen toll of screen time and content exposure on young minds.
In the meantime, the bill has sparked early conversations about where to draw the line between protection and restriction, and whether a ban can truly address root causes without more comprehensive digital literacy efforts.
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