Lawmaker: Algorithms put kids at risk online

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker warned on Sunday that “increasingly sophisticated” social media algorithms are deliberately hooking users and exposing minors to age‑inappropriate content amid growing concern about online child safety following rising cases of school violence.

“The evolution of social media platforms’ powerful algorithms makes it more and more difficult for adolescents to avoid illicit content—even if that’s not what they were originally searching for,” Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos said in a statement.

Social media platforms have been facing mounting global backlash over harmful content and the lack of safety features for users, particularly children.

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In the United States, Facebook’s parent company Meta has agreed to pay around $17 billion to over a dozen states to settle a suit accusing it of creating addictive products that harmed young users.

In the Philippines, a series of violent incidents in schools, most recently two shootings separately carried out by students that left five other students dead and scores more wounded, has prompted authorities to look into the possible influence of violent online games and “groomers” on the perpetrators.

“If we know that these platforms can influence what our children see, think and eventually do, then government has a responsibility to make sure that influence does not become a gateway to exploitation, addiction or illegal drugs,” Santos said.

He added that drug syndicates are also exploiting online platforms to reach potential victims.

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“They can exploit digital platforms, fake identities, private messaging and algorithm-driven content to reach potential victims, including young people,” Santos said.

Last week, a Philippine delegation met in Singapore with Meta officials who pledged to work with the government to improve coordination and act on harmful content. /cb