MANILA – Citing growing concerns over the mental health impact of excessive social media use among the youth, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has expressed support for proposed legislation that seeks to regulate minors’ access to online platforms, Malacañang announced.
Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized the administration’s position during a Palace briefing, noting that the President is open to measures that shield young Filipinos from online harm.
“Kung ito po talaga ay magko-cause ng mental health issues, sususugan din po ng Pangulo iyan at makakakuha siya ng suporta basta po ito ay para sa taumbayan at lalung-lalo na para sa kabataan,” Castro said.
She further noted that the President is committed to backing any initiative that “will be good for our countrymen, especially for the youth.”
The proposed measure, authored by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, seeks to bar minors from accessing social media platforms altogether. It cites research linking excessive social media use to anxiety, depression, and social isolation.
Under the bill, social media companies will be mandated to take “reasonable steps and age verification measures to prevent age-restricted users from registering, accessing, or continuing to use their social media service.”
Moreover, the proposal includes data privacy provisions, requiring platforms to ensure that personal data collected from users is “limited, secure, and retained only for the duration necessary to achieve its intended lawful purpose.” Users must also be “clearly informed of the purpose and scope of data collection, including their rights.”
If enacted, the bill would mark a significant shift in digital policy aimed at addressing the growing mental health crisis among Filipino youth linked to unregulated online exposure./PN
