Secretary Angara: critical thinking, regulation needed for students' media safety, literacy

MANILA – Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Monday underscored the importance of critical thinking and policy regulations in advancing learners' safety and media literacy.

This came as Angara joined the Philippine Conference on Children & Media 2026, hosted by the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT), at the Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City.

In his speech, Angara emphasized the urgency to adopt flexible measures and apply policy changes in programs to protect children from violence, exploitation, mental health challenges and other negative impacts.

“Are we preparing our learners for the media environment they actually inhabit today? Or are we preparing them for the environment we grew up with? We must be flexible enough to adopt our curriculum, our teaching strategies, and our policies as the media evolves,” he said.

“The line between traditional and social media is becoming increasingly blurred, and our policies must be flexible enough to recognize that reality.”

To promote safety and media literacy among youth, Angara said the agency has implemented regulations restricting the use of mobile phones and electronic gadgets within school premises under DepEd Order No. 006, series of 2026.

DepEd also has a Media and Information Literacy module already embedded in the basic education curriculum.

“We teach it, I think, in high school. But I think it’s time to bring it much earlier kasi ‘yung mga bata pa lang e (because those who are younger) know much more about social media,” he said.

Angara, however, urged stakeholders and communities to help children develop “critical thinking” amid media consumption.

“Teach them how to question what they see, verify what they hear, and to think critically about what they share,” Angara added.

“The goal is not simply to keep technology out of the classroom; it is also to ensure that when technology enters the classroom, learning remains in control, not entertainment and not the algorithms that big companies want our children to follow.”

Beyond the need for better media programs and a flexible curriculum, the education chief said lawmakers in both the lower and upper houses are pushing reforms to protect children across online platforms.

These proposals seek to address risks associated with technology and digital media such as online grooming and violent extremist recruitment, especially in line with the recent school violence incidents.

Angara cited that four of the children in conflict with the law (CICL) involved in the recent school shooting incident across the country are associated with online networks they have been associated with.

“Parang fraternity siya, parang (It seems like a fraternity, it seems like) they are subjected to rites of passage, they are welcomed, and they are told that if they do not perform acts of violence, they will not be accepted, or not be promoted within the group,” he said.

He also called on parents to monitor their children and actively set necessary boundaries.

“Ironically, we left them on their devices, on social media. Meaning, where we should be less liberal and more discerning and discriminating in our supervision, which is the online world, is precisely where we fell short. But of course, it’s not too late,” Angara said.

He said parents’ involvement is crucial in dealing with a generation where children and the youth experience overstimulation and an increase in violence, anxiety and depression.

Overall, the NCCT conference seeks to bring together stakeholders, policymakers, research and academic bodies, child protection groups, creative industry partners, educators, parents, and learners, among others, to promote the production and broadcasting of developmentally suitable programs for children.

The program started on Sunday and will run until Oct. 28.