Sotto wants inquiry into social media impact on Filipino children

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the impact of social media on Filipino children.

His proposed Senate Resolution No. 486 aims to look into whether the increasing involvement of minors in violence, cyber-related offenses, and other harmful behavior may be linked to social media use.

Sotto stressed the need to identify measures to better protect children’s digital well-being.

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Malacañang earlier said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was open to proposals restricting or banning online games following the June 22 fatal school shooting in Tacloban City and other reported campus threats.

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Some senators, like Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, have also renewed their push for a social media ban for minors, adding that his proposed ban includes access to violent online games.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri has also expressed support for a serious discussion on banning or strictly limiting social media access for young children.

READ: Dy seeks stronger protection of kids from social media threats

READ: Bam Aquino seeks strict age limits on video games

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Sotto’s resolution recognizes 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 stressed 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.”

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“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.

He added that 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.

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There are also studies linking excessive screen time among children and adolescents to higher rates of anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and other mental health concerns, he added. /mcm