Unprogrammed appropriations (UA) should be used for the Department of Education (DepEd) technology programs, which will connect schools to the internet, says Stratbase Institute. FILE IMAGE
MANILA, Philippines – House Bill No. 9965, or the proposed Children’s Social Media Safety Act, seeks to impose fines of up to P50 million on social media platforms that fail to comply with mandatory child online safety standards, including age verification, parental controls, and safeguards against harmful content.
The bill, filed by House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, also authorizes the temporary restriction of access to social media platforms in the Philippines — or even their prohibition from operating in cases of repeated and serious violations, subject to due process.
The bill — aiming to be the country’s first comprehensive regulatory framework governing children’s access to and use of social media platforms — will promote responsible, age-appropriate digital engagement through stronger safeguards, greater platform accountability, enhanced parental supervision, and digital literacy.
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