MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has once again pushed for a ban on social media use for children aged 16 and under, following the lead of regional neighbor Indonesia and other global counterparts.
In a press statement released on Monday, March 30, Gatchalian cited alarming data regarding the impact of digital leisure on academic performance. Referencing the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the senator noted that for every additional hour 15-year-old Filipino students spend on digital devices for leisure, there is a corresponding four-point drop in their mathematics scores.
Gatchalian’s call comes as Indonesia became the first Southeast Asian nation to enforce a strict social media ban for those under 16, effective March 28. Under Indonesia’s new regulations, platforms deemed “high-risk”—including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Roblox—are prohibited from allowing account creation by minors aged 15 and below.
Similar policies have been implemented in Australia, while countries like Austria and Britain are exploring or have enacted restrictions for younger age groups.
Beyond academic performance, the senator highlighted the risks of digital addiction and online safety. His renewed call was bolstered by a recent Los Angeles jury verdict that found tech giants Meta and YouTube liable for contributing to childhood social media addiction.
Closer to home, Gatchalian pointed to a March 18 report where police thwarted a school attack planned by teenagers who were reportedly recruited through a popular online gaming and social platform.
“Let’s not wait for the problem to get worse before we take action,” Gatchalian urged, emphasizing that the “unchecked expansion” of these platforms is contributing to a global mental health crisis among adolescents.
While the Department of Education has moved to integrate media and information literacy into the Matatag curriculum, Gatchalian and other advocates argue that education alone is insufficient against platforms designed to “extract attention.” The proposed ban aims to provide a protective buffer for children during critical years of development.