Mental health group: Socmed ban on minors a ‘nonsolution’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Mental Health Association Inc. (PMHA) on Friday said a blanket social media ban for minors is not a solution to preventing violent cases such as school shootings and keeping young people safe.

The mental health advocacy group instead called on online platforms to implement stronger safeguards against harmful content, as well as greater support from families, schools and communities.

“Preventing violence requires a comprehensive approach that includes mental health support, safe school environments, responsible online platforms, and early identification and intervention,” said PMHA national executive director Dr. Carolina Uno-Rayco, as quoted in a press release.

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She added that cases of youth-related violence are complex issues with “multiple contributing factors beyond the digital space.”

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READ: Senate approves bill restricting social media use by minors

“We support ongoing discussions around promoting online safety by design, and ensuring young people are empowered through support and digital literacy to navigate both online and offline spaces safely,” Uno-Rayco said.

Smart Kids Act

“This includes building healthy digital habits, recognizing harmful content and behavior, and knowing when to seek help,” she added.

The Senate on Thursday approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2424, or the proposed Safe Media Access and Responsible Technology for Kids in Digital Spaces (Smart Kids) Act, that would restrict social media use by children below 18 years old.

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Sixteen senators voted to approve the measure, with Sen. Risa Hontiveros the only one voting against it.

Sen. Robinhood Padilla, the bill’s sponsor, said the passage was “an important step toward strengthening the protection of children online.”

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Hontiveros, on the other hand, said there are young Filipinos who use social media for livelihood or to communicate with family members working abroad.

Baseline age

She cited as example a 17-year-old working student who uses social media to earn and another student whose post exposing harassment prompted her school to look into a complaint it had disregarded.

She instead proposed a tiered restriction for adolescents where stronger safeguards will apply for younger ones and suggested a 15 year-old baseline.

She also warned that an outright ban could only encourage teenagers to “find ways to circumvent the law.”

Once enacted, the Smart Kids Act will bar minors from registering, accessing, using, maintaining, operating, or creating an account on any age-restricted social media platform.

International social media platforms operating in the Philippines would be required to comply with the measure, designate a representative in the country and work with local authorities in implementing it.

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The Senate’s approval came amid public concern over a series of school shooting incidents in Tacloban City, Zamboanga City and South Cotabato that resulted in several deaths and injuries. /cb