Senate Bill Seeks to Regulate Minors’ Social Media Access in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — In an effort to curb the growing concerns over digital addiction and online harms among children, Senator Erwin Tulfo has filed a bill in the Senate that proposes strict regulations on the use of social media by minors.

Senate Bill No. 595, introduced by Tulfo, prohibits children aged 12 and below from accessing social media platforms, with exceptions only for supervised educational activities sanctioned by the Department of Education (DepEd). The proposed legislation comes amid mounting evidence linking excessive screen time to negative developmental outcomes in young users.

“While digital platforms provide educational and social benefits, there remains a glaring absence of robust government safeguards to shield our children from their harmful effects,” Tulfo said. “This bill is designed to close that gap by enforcing age-appropriate access, requiring parental oversight, and compelling platforms to uphold user safety.”

The senator emphasized that the Philippines, with approximately 90 million social media users and average screen times of eight to ten hours daily, ranks among the highest globally in digital engagement. He warned that excessive screen exposure among Filipino youth is associated with detrimental effects such as reduced language development, disrupted social behaviors, and shorter attention spans—potential early indicators of mental and physical health problems.

Under the bill, teenagers aged 13 to 17 would be allowed to access social media only with verified consent from a parent or legal guardian. Additionally, they would be limited to age-appropriate platform versions with restricted user interaction and enhanced privacy settings.

The measure also tasks the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in coordination with the DepEd, Department of Health (DOH), and the National Youth Commission (NYC), to implement a nationwide Anti-Digital Addiction Campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness and promote responsible digital behavior among children and their families.

If enacted, the legislation would also require social media companies and third-party age verification providers to take on clear responsibilities in preventing minors from bypassing restrictions.

Tulfo’s bill joins a broader global conversation on the impact of social media on children and underscores the growing urgency for governments to enact policies that safeguard young users in the digital age.