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The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday expressed support for a proposal to restrict internet use among children aged 14 and below.
At a press conference, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the proposal has already been taken up in Congress and received support during a recent budget hearing.
“We gave our opinion. Dapat 14 years and below ay restricted na ang use of the internet,” Remulla said.
“But it is not our call. Congress na lang ‘yan.So it was taken up yesterday during the budget hearing and they were in support of it. But we will see how the legal process goes, how the process of the lawmakers does that will result in this,” he added.
The proposal comes amid growing concerns over the exposure of minors to harmful content and individuals who allegedly seek to manipulate or recruit children online.
These concerns were also linked to the fatal shootings in Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City on August 18 and San Jose National High School in Tacloban City on June 22.
Pasig Representative Roman Romulo, House Committee on Basic Education and Culture chair, earlier said the lower chamber is drafting a measure that would impose a total social media and online gaming platform ban on children aged 13 and below, while regulating social media use among those 14 to 17 years old.
Meanwhile, Senator Robin Padilla also sponsored a bill seeking to set 16 as the minimum age for creating and maintaining a social media account. —VAL, GMA News
