A research group has raised concerns that the proposed social media ban for minors in the Philippines could have far-reaching consequences on the digital rights of Filipinos, including freedom of expression, privacy, and access to online platforms.
The warning comes amid legislative efforts in Congress, including Senate Bill No. 2424, which seeks to prohibit Filipinos below 18 years old from creating, maintaining, or using social media accounts and certain high-risk digital services.
Meanwhile, House Bill No. 11566 proposes a different approach by banning children aged 13 and below from creating social media accounts while imposing restricted access and additional safeguards for users aged 13 to 17.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo, Rossine Fallorina, Managing Director of Sigla Research Center, questioned the age-verification and age-assurance mechanisms being proposed under the measures.
Fallorina said requiring users to submit a Philippine Identification System ID or other government-issued identification documents to verify age could create opportunities for monitoring and tracking social media activity, particularly posts related to government issues.
She warned that mandatory identity verification could erode online anonymity and discourage individuals from freely expressing their views and opinions on public issues.
Fallorina also noted that Indigenous Filipinos and residents of remote communities could be disproportionately affected if they do not possess government-issued identification cards or face difficulties obtaining them.
She emphasized that children also have rights to freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and political participation, and any online safety policy should include protective measures without unnecessarily restricting those rights.
According to Fallorina, efforts to protect minors online should not result in sweeping limitations on fundamental freedoms guaranteed to young people.
Instead of enforcing a blanket restriction, she urged social media companies and policymakers to focus on addressing harmful content, online exploitation, cyber threats, and platform accountability through stronger community standards and more effective safety mechanisms.
She also called for improved moderation practices and the removal of illegal and harmful content as a more balanced approach to online child protection.
The debate intensified after the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 2424, or the Safe Media Access and Responsible Technology for Kids in Digital Spaces (SMART KIDS) Act, on third and final reading by a 16-1 vote. The measure would prohibit individuals below 18 years old from accessing social media platforms and require age-assurance systems for compliance.
Digital rights advocates, privacy experts, and civil society groups have raised concerns that the legislation’s age-verification requirements could compel even adult users to submit government-issued IDs, potentially creating privacy, surveillance, and data-protection issues.
The House of Representatives, meanwhile, approved House Bill No. 11566, known as the Safe and Friendly Environment for Kids in Digital Spaces (SAFE KIDS) Act, which would ban social media accounts for children below 13 years old while allowing limited and regulated access for older teenagers.
Several youth organizations and education advocates have opposed a blanket ban, arguing that social media has become an important platform for learning, civic engagement, communication, entrepreneurship, and family connections, especially for young Filipinos and children of overseas Filipino workers.