The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday backed proposals to regulate social media amid rising student mental health concerns linked to online exposure.
“We’re seeing higher cases of mental health disorders, depression, even suicide,” Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara told reporters in an interview.
“It’s something we have to address because it has already become a life-or-death issue,” he added. “It has been proven that prolonged use of these apps among young children is associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety.”
The agency flagged that the ‘mental health epidemic’ makes the youth more vulnerable to online threat actors and intensifies mental health challenges among learners.
“We can see that when young people are exposed to negative influences, the outcomes are not good, and their future is put at risk,” Mr. Angara said in Filipino. “It has been proven that prolonged use of these apps among young children is associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety.”
“This is not only for the present, but will also shape the course of our future and that of the generations to come,” he added.
The Education chief noted that potential measures on social media access may help limit the negative effects of unregulated online content consumption among children.
“The proposed bill is important, although I know there is still debate over the appropriate age limit and other details,” he said. “We prohibit the use of these apps inside schools, but once students leave school and return to their respective homes, we obviously cannot control what they see.”
“We cannot control everything… that’s why we appreciate these kinds of social media regulations,” he added.
The House of Representatives recently approved House Bill No. 10858, known as the Safe and Friendly Environment for Kids in Digital Spaces Act, which aims to prohibit children under 13 from creating social media accounts and restrict access for those below 18.
Meanwhile, the Senate passed Senate Bill No. 2424, or the Safe Media Access and Responsible Technology for Kids in Digital Spaces (Smart Kids) Act, on third and final reading.
The proposed measure would also restrict children under 18 from registering for, accessing, using, maintaining, operating, or creating an account on any age-restricted social media platform.
Both chambers are expected to reconcile their bills, then submit a final draft for presidential approval.
The potential ban on social media for minors comes after three school shooting incidents between June and September left at least eight students dead in the Philippines. — Almira Louise S. Martinez