New Congress bill seeks to ban kids under 16 from Social Media

A bill filed in the House of Representatives seeks to prohibit minors aged 16 and below from accessing social media platforms in the Philippines.

Why it Matters: The proposed measure reflects a wider global movement where governments are studying or implementing limits on minors’ social media use. Countries such as Australia, France, and Spain have recently introduced policies aimed at protecting younger users online, as regulators respond to growing concerns about the effects of digital platforms on children.

CIBAC Party-list Representative Eddie Villanueva has filed House Bill No. 8262, also called the Social Media Protection for Minors Act. The proposal aims to restrict the use of social media platforms among children, citing concerns about mental health, online safety, and developmental well-being.

Under the bill:

• A minor is defined as any person aged 16 years old and below. The measure would prohibit minors from creating, maintaining, or accessing accounts on social media platforms, whether directly or indirectly through third-party tools.
• The proposal defines social media platforms as websites, mobile applications, or digital services that allow users to create accounts, share content, interact with other users, and receive algorithmic recommendations. Platforms mentioned in the bill include services such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube.
• Instead of penalizing children or their parents, the measure adopts what it calls a platform-accountability approach. Social media companies would be required to take reasonable steps to prevent minors from opening accounts and implement age assurance systems designed to verify user age while limiting unnecessary collection of personal data.
• Platform operators would also be required to detect accounts that use false credentials and promptly review, suspend, deactivate, or remove accounts suspected to belong to minors. Companies must also submit annual transparency reports to the Department of Information and Communications Technology detailing enforcement actions and data on account removals related to age violations.
• The bill also states that minors, parents, or guardians would not face criminal, civil, or administrative liability if the restriction is violated. Instead, enforcement would focus on social media companies operating in the Philippines.
• Parents and guardians would still be expected to exercise reasonable supervision. In cases of repeated negligence, they may be required to attend digital safety or responsible technology use programs developed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
• Social media companies that fail to comply could face penalties including written warnings, fines, or suspension of platform operations in the Philippines for repeated or serious violations.
• If passed, the Department of Information and Communications Technology would be the main agency responsible for implementing and enforcing the law.

Villanueva said the bill responds to increasing international concern about the impact of social media on minors. He noted that several governments have started taking a stronger role in regulating how children interact with online platforms.

Australia has taken one of the most notable steps. In late 2024, the country passed legislation requiring social media companies to prevent children under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts on their platforms. Companies that fail to comply may face penalties.

France and Spain have also introduced restrictions aimed at limiting children’s access to social media services or requiring parental consent for younger users. Meanwhile, Indonesia has begun exploring similar policies as part of broader digital safety discussions.

The proposed Philippine measure seeks to follow these developments by introducing a similar age-based restriction on social media access.

Further details of House Bill No. 8262, including enforcement mechanisms and responsibilities for platforms, have yet to be discussed in full as the proposal moves through the legislative process. If passed, the Social Media Protection for Minors Act could significantly change how young Filipinos access social media platforms.

Should the Philippines adopt similar restrictions on minors’ social media use?