Manila: The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), in partnership with Netflix, hosted a seminar to address concerns over inappropriate content consumption and excessive screen time among young children. The event aimed to guide families toward safe and responsible media consumption.
According to Philippines News Agency, MTRCB Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Diorella Maria Gamboa Sotto-Antonio led the seminar, which gathered over 100 parents, educators, child protection advocates, and industry leaders. The initiative was designed to empower families while ensuring an enriching digital experience for children. Sotto-Antonio emphasized the need for media literacy and active parental involvement, highlighting the importance of guiding children through the digital age.
As part of the Responsableng Panonood campaign, MTRCB introduced PROTECT, a framework to help parents manage children's media use. This includes providing guidelines on age-appropriate content, regulating screen time, observing co-viewing, and teaching media literacy. The framework encourages creating a family viewing plan and modeling responsible media habits.
Netflix Global Affairs Southeast Asia Director Ruben Hattari expressed support for the initiative, stating that the shared responsibility of parents, educators, and industry leaders is crucial. He pointed out that Netflix provides features to help parents manage what children watch and advised against using these features as a punishment tool.
The seminar also featured a panel discussion titled 'From Screen Time to Smart Time,' with representatives from MTRCB, Netflix, Stairway Foundation, Safe Schools Philippines, and the National Council for Children's Television (NCCT). The dialogue focused on parental controls, content classification, and collaborative efforts to make digital media safer for Filipino families.
NCCT Chairperson Luis Gatmaitan recommended that parents let their children watch general patronage-rated films and programs, as these materials have been vetted for age-appropriateness. Stairway Foundation Child Protection specialist Ysrael Diloy advised parents to focus on imparting social intelligence and values to children, regardless of technological proficiency.
Sotto-Antonio encouraged parents to remain proactive in overseeing what their children consume through digital media. She emphasized that with collective effort, digital media can become a tool for learning, creativity, and positive growth.
