Following a fatal shooting on the Ateneo de Zamboanga University campus, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri is calling for legislative action to restrict young people from using social media platforms.
Expressing deep concern over how digital material impacts the youth, Zubiri urged for strict age limits, emphasizing the necessity of updating national laws to safeguard children from digital violence.
”Ban na dapat ang social media for kids! Parang video game nalang ang kumitil ng buhay,” Zubiri stated online.
He argued that continuous access to violent material has clear consequences for young minds.
”Kapag ang isang bata ay kayang manood, maglaro at makakita ng violence for hours every day, we cannot pretend walang epekto iyon. The times have changed, and our laws must catch up. I support a serious social media ban for children,” he wrote.
The call for regulation follows a tragic incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, where a Grade 10 student was killed after a classmate opened fire on fellow students and an instructor. The assailant reportedly broadcasted the assault live online before dying by suicide.
The tragic event was raised during Wednesday’s Senate proceedings. A legislative proposal prohibiting individuals aged 16 and under from opening social media accounts remains under review in the Senate.
”Asahan po ninyo na patuloy na magsisikap ang Senado na pangalagaan ang kaligtasan, edukasyon at kinabukasan ng kabataang Pilipino,” Zubiri promised.