CWC not keen on total social media ban for minors

The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) said on Monday that it welcomes any proposals to regulate the social media use of children, but it has apprehensions regarding restricting minors from using such platforms. 

CWC Executive Director Angelo Tapales said they agree that many children who are below 18 years old have become victims of cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, and misinformation because of exposure to social media. Hence, the need to impose regulations on usage. 

“Yung regulation, wine-welcome namin ‘yan. Kasi siyempre, maraming threats na talagang ano, nasasadlak ang ating mga bata, yung minors natin below 18 po ‘yan, whether this is cyberbullying na mataas pa rin base sa datos ng Department of Education; ang online sexual abuse or exploitation of children…at iba’t-ibang scams pa po, at mga panlilinlang, fake news, misinformation laban sa bata,” Tapales said on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon. 

(We welcome the regulation. Because we recognize that there are threats to our children or minors below 18. It can be cyberbullying which remains high based on the Department of Education’s data; online sexual abuse or exploitation of children…and various scams, fake news, and misinformation.) 

Returning senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson earlier filed a bill proposing that minors shall be prohibited from accessing or using social media services, while social media platforms shall take "reasonable steps and age verification measures to prevent age-restricted users from registering, accessing, or continuing to use their social media service."

For its part, the CWC said that a total restriction on minors from using social media should be reconsidered.

“I don’t think kailangan silang i-ban, because at the end of the day we are balancing the rights of children to child protection and yung right to participate naman nila to information na iginagalang din ng ating Saligang Batas,” said Tapales. 

(I don’t think we have to ban them, because at the end of the day, we are balancing the rights of children to child protection and their right to participate in information that is recognized by the Constitution.) 

Under Lacson’s bill, social media platforms must adopt measures to ensure the age and identity of its users; conduct regular audits of user account data to detect and remove age-restricted users from the platform; and adopt prompt response mechanisms for reports or findings of age-restricted users on the platform. 

The CWC said that using technology could help prevent further threats to children online. 

“We have to rely on technology to address the dangers being faced by children online,” said Tapales. 

However, the agency pointed out that parents have the obligation to guide their children when using the Internet and keeping them safe on the world wide web. 

“We have to empower parents also…Because ang parents ang dapat unang nangangalaga sa bata,” said Tapales. 

(We have to empower the parents also…Because they have the duty to take care of their children.) 

“First and foremost, you need to know how to use the internet, the cyberspace, the social media, and the gadget. Kapag hindi mo alam ang dangers niyan, baka ayan ang gagawin mo, gagawan mo ng account kahit 5 years old lang ang anak mo, post ka nang post, nagva-vlog ka, exposing the likeness of your children,” he added. 

(First and foremost, you need to know how to use the internet, the cyberspace, the social media, and the gadget. If you don’t know the dangers when using them, obviously you would simply make accounts for your 5-year-old kid, post online about everything or do vlogs which could expose your children.) 

Lacson’s proposed measure was patterned to Australia’s new law that bans children under 16 years old from using social media or opening new accounts. The said law covers social media platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). — BM, GMA Integrated News