Senator Win Gatchalian has formally introduced legislation aimed at barring children under the age of 16 from owning or operating social media accounts, citing a critical need to shield the youth from digital risks.
Filed as Senate Bill No. 2066, or the Social Media Safety for Children Act, the measure seeks to establish a safer online environment by preventing minors from accessing platforms that may expose them to harmful content, cyberbullying, and other psychological dangers.
Gatchalian emphasized the urgency of the intervention, stating:
“Panahon na upang protektahan ang ating mga kabataan mula sa pinsalang dulot ng social media. Huwag na nating hintaying lumala ang problema bago tayo umaksyon,”
The proposed law would place the burden of enforcement on social media corporations. If enacted, these companies would be required to deploy robust age and identity verification technologies to ensure compliance.
Additionally, the bill mandates regular audits to purge underage users and the creation of accessible reporting tools for the public to flag violations.
This legislative move mirrors a shifting international landscape regarding digital parenting. The Philippines joins nations like Australia—which implemented its Social Media Minimum Age Act in late 2025—and Indonesia in seeking stricter boundaries for adolescent internet usage.
Under the current draft, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) would take the lead in overseeing the law’s execution.
In collaboration with other government bodies, the DICT would be responsible for finalizing the implementing rules and regulations within 90 days of the bill’s passage.