House leaders push P50M fine for social media platforms violating child online safety

MANILA, Philippines — In a move to protect minors, two House leaders have filed a bill imposing fines of up to P50 million on social media platforms that violate child online safety standards. Speaker Faustino Dy III and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos authored House Bill 9965, authorizing the temporary restriction of access to social media platforms in the country – or even their prohibition from operating in the country – in cases of repeated and serious violations, subject to due process. The proposed P50-million fine will be slapped on social media platforms that fail to comply with mandatory child online safety standards (under the proposed Children’s Social Media Safety Act), including age verification, parental controls and safeguards against harmful content. It seeks to establish the country’s first comprehensive regulatory framework governing children’s access to and use of social media platforms, while promoting responsible, age-appropriate digital engagement through stronger safeguards, greater platform accountability, enhanced parental supervision and digital literacy. According to the bill’s explanatory note, the proposal is anchored on the State’s constitutional duty to protect the rights and welfare of children and to promote their physical, moral, intellectual and social well-being. “In the digital age, this duty extends to ensuring that children are protected from risks arising from the use of social media and other digital platforms. At its core, this bill recognizes that every child deserves a safe environment to grow, learn and develop free from harm, both in the physical and digital world,” the explanatory note states. In a related development, the Philippine National Police said it is stepping up its drive to protect minors from harmful online content. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., PNP chief, said they are coordinating with social media companies to address content that has negative effects on minors. Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez yesterday pushed for a regional mental health rapid-response network after the Tacloban school shooting that claimed the lives of three students while injuring numerous others. Romualdez said a regional rapid-response network of mental health and child protection professionals may soon be organized in the wake of the San Jose National High School shooting in Tacloban, as part of a broader effort to help schools respond faster to violence, trauma and students in distress. He said the network would be supported by preventive education and stronger coordination among government agencies, schools and local communities. Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente Sotto III yesterday said he is seeking a Senate investigation on the impact of social media on children. Sotto said he filed Senate Resolution 486 to look into measures on how to protect the youth and safeguard their digital well-being. The Senate women and children committee led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros will hold an inquiry today on the Tacloban school shooting incident. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Emmanuel Tupas