Lawmaker opposes total social media use ban for under-16 users in PH

National

INSTEAD of a total ban, a member of the House of Representatives is advocating regulation on social media use among children below the age of 16.

Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo said enforcing a blanket ban would be difficult to enforce.

“We know that it is difficult to ban because you can’t monitor children at home. Let’s give parents responsibility when they are at home. They need to have monitoring. How to do it, we need to discuss that carefully,” Romulo said in a report by Philstar.

Romulo, who will chair the technical working group on the proposed measures, said the Congress will resume deliberations next week as lawmakers work to address the challenges children face on social media.

“Next week, we will continue hearings on the social media ban for 18 and below. Right now, there is an urgency that we need to move quickly and pass something that is responsive to the needs and challenges of children,” Romulo stated.

He added that lawmakers should discuss the possible accountability of parents in ensuring their children's responsible use of social media.(Feirnchae M. Lim, UP Cebu Comm Intern)