Pasig Rep. Romulo eyes social media ban for kids 13 years and below; regulation for 14-17 teens

The House of Representatives is drafting a measure that would impose a total social media and online gaming platform ban on children aged 13 and below, while regulating social media use among those 14 to 17 year old.

Pasig Representative. Roman Romulo, House Committee on Basic Education and Culture chair, made the remarks following the school shooting involving students in Zamboanga City, where two students died, including the shooter.

“Kapag under 13 ka meron tayong ban sa social media and online gaming platforms. Kapag below 18 but over 13 ang sinasabi natin ireregulate natin. May mga feature na kailangan natin i-ban,” Romulo told Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

(Those under 13 would be banned from using social media and online gaming platforms, while those aged 14 to 17 would be subject to regulation. There are certain features that we would need to ban.)

Romulo said social media platforms and online gaming platforms should have an office in the Philippines before being allowed access to Filipino consumers.

“Lahat ng social media platforms, lahat ng online gaming platforms na gustong mag-provide ng platform sa Pilipinas, kailangan magkaroon na kayo ng Philippine presence. Kung wala po kayong Philippine presence, i-bo-block kayo ng DICT. Kailangan nasa jurisdiction namin kayo,” Romulo said.

(All social media and online gaming platforms that want to provide services in the Philippines will be required to have a Philippine presence. If you do not have a Philippine presence, the Department of Information and Communications Technology will block your platform. You need to be within our jurisdiction.)

Congress is also planning to establish a classification board for online gaming platforms that will monitor the online games being made available to young players.

Romulo said the Committee on Welfare of Children is planning to finish its hearing by the second week of September.

“Makikita atin 'yung kahalagahan, 'yung importansya ng kooperasyon ng ating mga magulang. Itong mga panukalang batas hindi magiging successful kung hindi rin tayo makikipagcooperate dito sa batas, para naman to sa best interest ng mga kabataan,” Romulo said.

(We can see the importance of our parents’ cooperation. These proposed laws will not be successful if parents do not cooperate, as these measures are ultimately in the best interest of young people.) —RF, GMA News