Senate to probe social media impact on Filipino children

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate is set to investigate the impact of social media on Filipino children, with Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III filing a resolution seeking a comprehensive inquiry into the matter. Senate Resolution No. 486, filed by Sotto, aims to determine whether the increasing involvement of minors in violence, cyber-related offenses, and other harmful behaviors may be linked to their social media usage. Sotto stressed the need to identify measures to better protect children’s digital well-being. This move follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s openness to proposals restricting or banning online games, a stance he expressed after a fatal school shooting in Tacloban City on June 22 and other reported campus threats. Several senators have echoed the call for stricter measures. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has renewed his push for a social media ban for minors, which he stated would include a ban on access to violent online games. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri has also voiced support for a serious discussion on banning or strictly limiting social media access for young children. Sotto’s resolution acknowledges that several countries, including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Portugal, have already imposed restrictions on minors’ access to social media, while others are considering similar measures. However, Sotto emphasized that before adopting drastic policies such as a social media ban, Congress must first conduct “a thorough review of the country’s existing laws, the actual patterns of social media use among Filipino children, and the government’s capacity to enforce any future regulations.” “The resolution’s goal is to strike the proper balance between children’s access to technology and information and the State’s constitutional duty to protect their welfare and development,” he explained. The inquiry intends to examine the effects of excessive screen time and exposure to harmful online content on children’s mental health, safety, moral development, and overall well-being. Sotto acknowledged that while technology has expanded opportunities for learning, communication, and creativity, it has also exposed children to cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, grooming, self-harm content, misinformation, and gambling-related materials. He added that studies have also linked excessive screen time among children and adolescents to higher rates of anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and other mental health concerns. Information Source: Inquirer NewsInfo