THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is pushing legislation that will restrict access to social media platforms for children aged 16 and below as part of efforts to strengthen online safety.
“I would push for age-based restriction on social media use,” Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda told reporters on the sidelines of a digital summit on Wednesday. “For social media, we are suggesting content moderation for 16-year-olds,” he added.
Mr. Aguda said the government is studying measures that would boost safeguards on digital platforms, particularly for children, amid concerns about data privacy, online addiction and mental health.
The DICT is also working with social media companies on possible content regulation and safety measures for younger users.
“In fairness to the platforms, they are compliant,” Mr. Aguda said. “For now, I think the [House of Representatives] and Senate are harmonizing it into one legislation. “
“I hope that this proposal will be passed by the third quarter so that we will have a safer internet,” he added.
He said the government is looking at practices adopted by other countries, including Singapore, which has implemented stricter digital safety regulations.
Mr. Aguda also said he plans to engage with video-sharing platform YouTube on safety protocols, particularly those aimed at protecting children and addressing misinformation.
The policy push comes months after the DICT deferred plans to block access to the online gaming platform Roblox after the company committed to strengthen its safety measures.
Roblox said it would conduct information campaigns on online safety and expand parental control tools, including screen-time monitoring, content filtering and age-appropriate settings.
The National Telecommunications Commission, the DICT and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center earlier reviewed safety concerns involving Roblox after complaints that its user-generated platform exposed children to risks, including violent extremist content. — Ashley Erika O. Jose
