Politics · Other · 10 hrs ago
Philippine House approves bill limiting social media access for under-13s
The Philippines’ House of Representatives has approved a bill that would bar children under 13 from social media platforms.
The Senate has also approved a bill on the issue, but its version would ban anyone under 18 from creating social media accounts.
Lawmakers from both chambers must reconcile the differences and produce a final draft.
That draft would then go to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr for approval.
The debate has intensified after three school shootings in the Philippines since June, including incidents in which students killed classmates and themselves.
Marcos has warned that a blanket ban could lead children to hide their online activity and become more vulnerable to grooming and abuse.
The bill is part of a wider effort by governments to limit minors’ access to social media.
The Philippine House of Representatives approved a bill limiting social media access for children under 13 on Oct 12.
The measure must be reconciled with the Senate’s version before a final draft can go to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr for approval.
The Senate version is stricter and would ban anyone under 18 from creating social media accounts.
Marcos said a blanket ban could lead children to hide their online activity, potentially leaving them vulnerable to grooming and abuse.
The debate has grown amid concern about children’s health and safety and after school shootings reignited discussion of young people’s access to social media and online content.
- Who
- The Philippine House of Representatives approved the bill.
- What
- The bill would restrict social media access for children under 13.
- When
- Oct 12. The article was published on Oct 12, 2026.
- Where
- The Philippines.
- Why
- Concern is growing about social media’s effects on children’s health and safety. Recent school shootings also reignited debate about children’s access to social media and online content.
Philippine House of Representatives
Philippine Senate
Age limit
Philippine House of Representatives
The House-approved measure would restrict access for children under 13.
Philippine Senate
The Senate’s version would bar anyone under 18 from creating social media accounts.
The article says three school shootings since June reignited debate over children’s access to social media and online content.
A student live-streamed himself shooting and killing a classmate before taking his own life.
A 16-year-old shot dead at least two fellow students before turning the gun on himself.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he had been studying the Senate-approved bill and warned that a blanket ban could cause children to hide their online activities.
The House of Representatives approved its measure limiting minors’ access to social media platforms.
- House-approved age limit
- Under 13
- Senate version
- Would ban account creation for anyone under 18
- Next legislative step
- The two chambers must reconcile their bills
- Presidential approval
- Required for the final draft
- House vote
- Overwhelmingly in favour
Sources
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