Robin Padilla cites bullying, suicides in call to restrict minors' social media use

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Senator Robinhood Padilla has cited bullying, suicide cases and school shootings as reasons to restrict minors’ access to social media, arguing that the problems associated with online interactions have become increasingly serious.

“ Itong panukala na ito kinakailangan itong isagawa kaagad sapagkat marami nang naidulot na hindi maganda sa ating kabataan lalo na sa mga menor de edad,” Padilla told Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

(The proposed measure should be implemented immediately because social media has caused many negative effects on our youth, especially minors.)

“Nandiyan ‘yung mga tinatawag nating bullying, Nagkaroon na tayo ng napakaraming suicide. Nagkaroon na tayo ng maraming mass shooting, school shooting. Lahat ‘yan patong-patong na,” he added.

(These include bullying, numerous suicide cases, and mass shootings, including school shootings. All these problems have compounded over time.)

Earlier this week, the Senate approved a bill banning minors from creating social media accounts and requiring existing accounts to be disabled or suspended.

Senate Bill 2424, or the proposed Safe Media Access and Responsible Technology for Kids in Digital Spaces (Smart Kids) Act seeks to restrict children aged 17 and below from accessing social media and other harmful digital applications and websites.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has approved a similar measure on second reading, but its version prohibits children aged 13 and below from creating social media accounts.

Padilla explained that the measure seeks to prevent minors aged 17 and below from engaging in social media interactions.

“Ang ipagbabawal natin sa kabataan ‘yung mayroong social media interaction, ‘yung may nakakausap. ‘Yun ‘yung problema, eh nagkakaroon tayo diyan ng kababaihan, ‘yung nude photos. Talagang sobra na eh,” he said.

(What we want to prohibit among minors is social media interaction, particularly communicating with other people. That’s where the problem lies, especially when women become victims of issues involving nude photos. It has really gone too far.)

Padilla, however, opposed the proposal to require social media platforms to obtain a franchise, saying such a requirement would be excessive and could anger the public.— Mariel Celine Serquiña/ MCG, GMA News

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