President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has raised concerns over the growing impact of social media and digital networks on young people, cautioning that children face exposure to dangerous material and online deception before developing strong critical reasoning skills.
Addressing the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines during a Presidential Luncheon in Manila, Marcos noted that while technology is now deeply integrated into daily routines, it presents serious hazards for impressionable internet users.
“As a parent, I am increasingly mindful of the influence of social media and online platforms on our children,” he said.
The President stressed that the state needs to find a middle ground between fostering technological growth and demanding strict accountability to shield the youth from digital harms.
“Innovation must continue, certainly, but so must the responsibility that accompanies it,” he noted.
To address these risks, the administration is expanding digital literacy initiatives, strengthening national cybersecurity infrastructure, and promoting public welfare while protecting free speech.
Marcos also warned that the rapid spread of deepfakes, deceptive posts, and misinformation is actively weakening public confidence. With accurate and fabricated updates spreading worldwide within seconds, he argued that combating online deception requires joint efforts from the state, media organizations, corporate leaders, schools, and civil society groups.
Maintaining public credibility, he added, remains essential for both government officials and news organizations to retain the trust of the electorate.
In response, the administration initiated Oplan Kontra Fake News to curb disinformation campaigns and hold offenders accountable.
Simultaneously, Marcos reaffirmed his pledge to defend press freedom, framing it as a primary duty of his office.
“The Philippine government recognizes that a free, independent, and responsible press remains indispensable to any democratic society,” he stated.
Describing media practitioners as crucial partners in fostering state transparency, Marcos outlined ongoing efforts to protect journalists from digital threats. Through the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, the government is expanding legal support, inter-agency cooperation, and cybercrime defense tools to protect press members.
While acknowledging that tension between state officials and reporters is natural, the President maintained that both sides must stand united in defense of accuracy.
“The government and the media may not always agree, nor should they,” Marcos stated.