Philippines lower house approves bill restricting minors' social media access

The Philippine House of Representatives has approved a bill aimed at restricting social media access for minors, specifically banning children under the age of 13 from using such platforms. This move follows a similar endorsement by the Senate, though the Senate’s version is more stringent, proposing a ban on social media account creation for anyone under 18.

The legislation follows recent incidents of school shootings in the country, which have intensified the national debate regarding children's access to online content. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed caution, noting that a total ban might lead children to hide their online activities, potentially increasing their vulnerability to grooming and abuse.

If passed, the two chambers must reconcile their respective versions of the bill before submitting a final draft for presidential approval. The Philippines joins several other nations, including Malaysia, Australia, and Greece, in seeking to implement stricter age-based controls on social media platforms.