Manila: Telecommunications company Globe on Tuesday supported the call to regulate social media for minors or those below 16 years old, instead of an outright ban. In a statement, Globe said social media regulation promotes parental responsibility towards safer digital spaces for young Filipinos.
According to Philippines News Agency, Globe believes protecting young Filipinos requires shared responsibility among families, schools, government, industry, and digital platforms. In particular, Globe pushed for solutions that address online risks while preserving minors' opportunities for learning, innovation, and responsible digital participation through stronger platform safeguards, responsible parenting, and digital literacy.
To date, Globe said digital platforms have strengthened youth safety through age requirements, parental supervision tools, content moderation, and reporting mechanisms. 'Globe encourages technology providers to continue investing in safety-by-design features while ensuring young users continue to benefit from the educational, creative, and developmental opportunities that digital platforms provide,' it said.
Globe also highlighted the role of parents, educators, and communities in fostering healthy digital habits. It cited the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham), which cautioned that an outright social media ban may push children to unregulated online spaces, underscoring the need for stronger digital literacy, parental guidance, and platform accountability.
In addition, Amnesty International UK described proposals to ban social media for children under 16 as the "right diagnosis, but wrong prescription." It urged governments to focus on making digital platforms safer by design and holding technology companies accountable rather than relying solely on blanket restrictions.
'Globe has consistently advanced this approach through its advocacy for responsible technology use among young Filipinos. Earlier this month, the company expressed support for the Department of Education's efforts to promote responsible gadget use in schools, recognizing that digital literacy is key to creating safer digital spaces for learners,' it added.
On July 8, Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo said regulation would be a more practical solution than an aggressive total ban, underscoring the important role of parents in supervising children's online activities. Romulo chairs the House Technical Working Group on the proposed measures regulating or banning social media for minors.
