TACLOBAN CITY — The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a measure seeking to strengthen safeguards for children against online exploitation, harmful content and other digital risks, with Tingog party-list lawmakers among its principal authors.
House Bill No. 11566, or the Children’s Digital Safety, Protection, and Well-Being Act, was approved on Tuesday, Oct. 6, and is intended to regulate children’s access to social media, online gaming and other covered digital services.
Tingog party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez, Andrew Julian Romualdez and Jude Acidre are among the authors of the proposed legislation.
Under the bill, children below 13 years old would be prohibited from creating accounts or accessing covered digital services. Those aged 13 to 17 would be allowed to use such platforms only with parental consent and subject to safeguards against harmful content and features.
These safeguards include restrictions on targeted advertising, livestreaming, behavioral profiling, endless scrolling and gambling-like features that could expose minors to potentially harmful online experiences.
The measure would also require digital platforms to establish effective and privacy-preserving age-verification systems, with users’ ages to be re-verified at least twice a year.
Acidre said the proposed law recognizes the growing role of digital technology in children’s education, communication and social interaction but stressed that online platforms must also provide stronger protection for minors.
“Hindi na natin maihihiwalay ang internet at social media sa buhay ng ating mga anak… Our responsibility is to make sure that the digital world they grow up in is one where their safety and well-being are protected,” Acidre said.
He said parents have an important role in protecting children online, but digital platforms and technology companies must also share responsibility for ensuring a safer online environment.
The bill proposes the creation of an Office for Children’s Social Media and Digital Safety under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to oversee its implementation.
It also provides for educational and awareness programs for parents and caregivers to help them understand and address online risks faced by children.
Acidre said the measure is not intended to prevent children from benefiting from technology but to ensure that they can use digital platforms without being unnecessarily exposed to harm.
“Hindi naman natin gustong ilayo ang mga bata sa teknolohiya. We want them to enjoy its benefits… without being unnecessarily exposed to harm,” he said.
The House approval on second reading moves the measure closer to becoming law, subject to further legislative action and approval.
(JOEY A. GABIETA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
