RESTRICTIONS ON MINORS’ SOCIAL MEDIA USE NEED REVIEW — PALACE

MALACAÑANG on Wednesday said proposals to ban or restrict minors’ use of social media must undergo careful and thorough study, noting both the positive and negative effects of online platforms on young users.

“Magandang suggestion po iyan pero kailangang aralin po. Kailangang aralin dahil ang social media naman po ay may positive, may negative na effects sa atin,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

“Kung ito po ay makakatulong sa ating mga kabataan, pag-aaralan po ito para kung anuman ang kanilang maibibigay na suhestiyon ay maaaring maipatupad,” she added.

Several legislative measures have been proposed to restrict minors’ access to social media, with varying minimum age thresholds. Experts noted that any age-appropriate framework should carefully balance child protection with the right to freedom of expression, while acknowledging that childhood development can vary.

Some foreign countries have begun implementing measures to restrict minors’ access to social media.