Lawmaker aims to prevent under 13 kids from using social media in PH

Laguna 1st District Rep. Danilo Ramon Fernandez wants to require social media companies operating in the Philippines to "strengthen its features restricting users under 13 years of age" under House Bill No. 5307 "Social Media Regulation and Protection Act of 2019."

File photo: Official Facebook profile on Instagram

Less Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more for kids under 13 of age

It aims to limit children 13 years of age from using social media platforms, like Facebook and Twitter in the country, citing "pervasive-driven digital marketing systems" on the internet.

Basically, the goal of the bill is to protect children from online threats and strengthen privacy and security.

According to Fernandez, he wants to prohibit social media companies from "collecting" personal and location information from anyone under 13 years of age without parental consent and anyone between 13 to 17 years old without the user's consent.

The bill noted that:

With the advent and creation of social media, children and adolescents' every move is monitored online, and even the youngest are bombarded with advertising when they go online to do their homework, talk with friends, and play.

Social media use will be limited to 30 minutes per day under the proposed legislation.

The bill will also make social media companies provide age restrictions and limitations on the use of all social media platforms,” and “provide adequate and efficient notification mechanisms on declared parents of a child.

The one responsible to implement the bill if passed into law is the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

Sources: ABS-CBN, Manila Bulletin