Senate OKs bill restricting social media use among minors

A girl attends her online class in Quezon City on September 18, 2020. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — The Senate on Thursday approved a bill restricting social media use among minors.

Senate Bill No. 2424 or the Safe Media Access and Responsible Technology for Kids in Digital Spaces prohibits the creation of social media accounts for children below 18 years old.

The social media ban on minors does not cover email, private messaging apps that do not have public or group features, school platforms, news websites, and online gaming platforms.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian stressed the importance of the bill, also called the Smart Kids Act, which responds to growing worries about children’s safety in digital spaces, amid concerns of alleged grooming of minors linked to violence. 

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri also described the measure as a “landmark” bill, saying the nation needs social media “guidance and regulation.” 

“All over the world it’s happening,” Zubiri said.