The Philippines’ lower and upper houses are advancing legislation to restrict minors’ social media use, aiming to reduce alleged physical, mental, social and emotional harms. Reports say the Senate approves a version of the bill on third and final reading, while the House later passes its own final-reading version, setting up negotiations between the chambers.
According to outlets covering the House vote, it approves House Bill No. 10858, the “Safe and Friendly Environment for Kids in Digital Spaces Act,” including a prohibition on children aged 13 and below from creating social media accounts and tighter restrictions for those under 18. Other reports say the Senate has approved a measure with a different age threshold for account creation and access. One mental health group criticizes a blanket approach, arguing it does not adequately address youth safety, and highlights concerns about effectiveness. Another outlet frames the debate around the burden on major technology companies, which could be required to comply with the rules if the legislation becomes law. With House and Senate versions diverging, further legislative steps are expected to reconcile differences before any final enactment.
