Senator Zubiri expresses support for social media ban for children after Tacloban school shooting

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday backed a serious discussion on banning or strictly limiting social media access for young children following the deadly school shooting in Tacloban City, saying online platforms may be influencing minors through exposure to harmful content.

In a statement, Zubiri said the tragedy should prompt authorities and lawmakers to confront the growing impact of social media on children.

"This tragedy should push us to confront a hard truth: matindi na ang influence ng social media sa mga bata," he said.

According to Zubiri, children can be influenced not only by bullying but also by violent content, online threats, dangerous trends and hateful behavior circulating on social media platforms.

"Whether a child is bullied or not, violent content, online threats, dangerous trends and hateful behavior can plant ideas in young minds and give them the confidence to act on things they should never even consider," he said.

The Senate leader said he supports a serious discussion on banning or strictly limiting social media access for young children, arguing that minors are highly susceptible to the content they encounter online.

"Kailangan na nating bantayan nang mas maigi ang mga bata online, dahil sa edad nila, mabilis silang maimpluwensiyahan ng mga nakikita, nababasa at napapanood nila sa social media," he said.

Zubiri pointed to a pending measure in the Senate, the Social Media Safety for Children Act, which seeks to prohibit children below 16 years old from registering, accessing or maintaining social media accounts.

He also noted that several countries have already adopted or are considering stricter regulations for minors' access to social media.

"Hindi tayo nag-iisa dito," Zubiri said.

He cited Australia’s ban on social media use for children under 16 and similar efforts in the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Greece, Spain, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates involving tighter age limits, age verification requirements and stronger online protections for minors.

The senator made the remarks as he expressed condolences to the families of those killed and injured in the Tacloban school shooting and called for broader measures to protect children both online and in schools.