The Philippines has moved a step closer to restricting social media use among minors after its lower house of Congress approved a measure banning access to platforms for children under 13.
On Monday, 12th October, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly in favour of limiting minors’ access to social media platforms. This followed the Senate’s recent endorsement of a similar bill. The Philippines is the latest country, alongside Greece, Portugal, Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia, to try to curb social media use by minors, as concern grows over its effects on children’s health and safety. Governments worldwide are responding to evidence of mental health impacts, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful material among children and teenagers.
The House measure focuses on preventing children under 13 from creating or using accounts on social media and certain interactive online gaming platforms. Older minors would face additional safeguards under the draft, though the final details depend on the reconciliation process with the Senate.
The Senate bill, approved on third and final reading earlier this month, is stricter. It targets high-risk digital services and prohibits anyone under 18 from registering, accessing or maintaining accounts on them. Platforms would need to implement age assurance systems and face potential fines for non-compliance.
The legislation comes after three school shootings since June in the Philippines reignited debate over children accessing social media and online content. A 16-year-old last month shot dead at least two fellow students before turning the gun on himself, while in August a student livestreamed himself shooting and killing a classmate before taking his own life. Gun violence at schools was previously rare in the Philippines.
Supporters of the bills point to these incidents and the role of online communities in influencing some of the perpetrators. Officials have linked elements of the violence to online activity involving nihilistic or extremist material shared among young users. Lawmakers have framed the proposals as a response to growing concerns about online harms, including exposure to violent content and the risk of grooming.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Sunday (11th October) he had been studying the bill passed by the Senate and that a blanket ban on social media could cause children to hide their online activities, leaving them vulnerable to grooming and abuse. Some senators share this view. Critics note that young people might simply move to unregulated platforms or conceal their activity from parents and guardians, potentially increasing rather than reducing risks. Parents and educators have also called for greater digital literacy alongside any legal restrictions, arguing that technical bans alone may not fully address the complex ways young people engage with online content.
TikTok, YouTube owner Alphabet, and Meta Platforms, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, did not immediately respond to separate requests for comment on the House passing the bill.
Neighbouring Malaysia began barring under-16s from registering accounts on social media platforms in June. The platforms are required to conduct age verification against government-issued records. Malaysia has given social media platforms until January 2027 to implement the measure.
Indonesia issued a regulation in March requiring social media firms operating platforms it deems high-risk to deactivate accounts belonging to children under 16. These have so far included X, Instagram, and video game platform Roblox. As of last week, TikTok had deactivated around 9 million accounts belonging to children under 16 in Indonesia, while Meta had blocked 85,000 Instagram accounts and 99,000 Facebook accounts. Similar requirements in both countries have led to large-scale account removals and stricter onboarding checks. International platforms operating in the Philippines would be expected to adapt their systems for local age verification and enforcement.
The two chambers must now reconcile their bills and submit a final draft for presidential approval. Attention turns to the conference committee, which will seek to align the two versions on key issues such as the precise age threshold, the definition of covered platforms and the responsibilities of technology companies.
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