Philippines moves to strengthen online protections for minors

The Philippine government and private sector are moving to strengthen digital safeguards for minors. Globe has expressed support for Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara’s call for increased cooperation between telecommunications companies, social media platforms, schools, and families to protect young Filipinos in digital spaces.

Globe stated that social media platforms should focus on age-appropriate experiences and content moderation, while telecommunications companies can provide network-level protections and safety education. The company emphasized that a coordinated effort across the digital ecosystem is necessary to create a safer environment.

Simultaneously, the Philippine Senate is deliberating on Senate Bill No. 1819, also known as the Child Online Protection and Safety Act. Senator Risa Hontiveros, the bill's principal sponsor, is proposing amendments to equip law enforcement with broader investigative tools. These include the ability to issue subpoenas for subscriber and traffic data, preserve digital evidence, and conduct undercover online operations to counter those who groom minors for abuse or violence.