Nagsumite si Senator Panfilo Lacson, Sr. ng panukalang batas sa senado para ma-regulate ang paggamit ng social-media ng mga menor de edad.
Ibinahagi ito ni Lacson sa kanyang official Facebook account nitong July 3, 2025.
Aniya, may mga pag-aaral na nagsasabing may kaugnayan ang sobrang exposure sa social media sa mental health issues.
Binanggit niya ang United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) study na nagsabing lantad ang mga batang PIlipino sa cyberbullying, body image pressures, at maging sa online harassment, dahil sa pagbababad sa social media.
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FILIPINO MINORS ARE ACTIVE INTERNET USERS
Sinabi rin ni Lacson na batay sa isang ulat ng Council for the Welfare of Children, isa sa bawat tatlong Pilipinong menor de edad ang gumagamit ng internet.
Sa household survey naman daw ng National ICT (Information and Communications Technology), 60 percent ng mga batang edad 10 hanggang 17 ay active internet users.
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BILL TO PROTECT ONLINE RISKS AND HARMFUL CONTENT
Ginawang example ng mambabatas ang social-media ban sa ibang bansa gaya ng Australia.
Pagbibigay-diin niya, dapat din itong gawin sa Pilipinas.
“Taking inspiration from this model, and in adherence to our State’s declared policy of promoting and protecting the mental and emotional well-being of its children, this bill is being proposed to protect Filipino children below 18 years old from online risks and harmful content by prohibiting minors from accessing or using social media platforms.”
Kabilang aniya sa mga dapat isagawa ng social-media platforms ang pagpapatupad ng “reasonable steps and age verification measures” para maiwasan ng mga menor de edad ang mag-register, mag-access, at magpatuloy sa paggamit ng social-media services.
Aatasan din ang platform providers na tiyaking ang mga makokolektang datos ay "limited, secure, and retained only for the period necessary to fulfill its intended lawful purpose."
Ang users ay kailangan ding "clearly informed of the purpose and scope of data collection, including their rights."
Ang social-media platforms na lalabag ay papatawan ng parusa sa ilalim ng Data Privacy Act at iba pang administrative, civil, or criminal penalties.
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MALACANANG, NETIZENS EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED BILL
Nagpahayag naman ang Malacañang ng pagsuporta sa panukala ni Lacson.
Ayon kay Palace Press Officer Claire Castro: “Kung ito po talaga ay magko-cause ng mental health issues, sususugan din po ng Pangulo iyan.
“At makakakuha siya [Lacson] ng suporta basta po ito ay para sa taumbayan at lalung-lalo na para sa kabataan.”
Maraming netizens din ang umayon sa panukala ni Lacson.
Ayon sa isang nagkomento sa kanyang post: “I fully support the proposed bill of Senator Ping Lacson, Sr. on regulating the use of social media among minors.
“As a concerned citizen, I believe this measure is both timely and necessary. With the growing influence of social media in the lives of our youth, it is our responsibility to ensure that they are protected from the harmful effects of overexposure online.
“This bill will help promote a safer digital environment one that prioritizes the mental, emotional, and psychological well-being of our children. Let us support initiatives that empower families and guide our young people toward responsible and balanced use of technology.”