Lawmaker backs social media ban for under-14s over drug trafficking fears

MANILA — Concerns about the weaponization of social media by drug trafficking organizations have prompted renewed calls for stricter regulations on internet access for minors in the Philippines. Las Piñas Representative Mark Leviste signaled backing for legislative proposals that would limit social media use among children under 15, raising alarm over how criminal networks have increasingly turned to digital platforms to identify and recruit vulnerable youth.

Administration officials and child welfare advocates have highlighted the evolving threat posed by coded messaging and encrypted communications used by drug syndicates to conduct transactions and coordinate illicit activities away from law enforcement scrutiny. The shift toward online recruitment represents a significant challenge for authorities tasked with protecting minors from exploitation and substance abuse.

The proposed restrictions would represent one of the more aggressive moves globally to regulate minors' social media access, placing the Philippines alongside other nations grappling with how to balance child protection with digital rights. Supporters argue that limiting platform access during formative years would reduce exposure to criminal elements and predatory behavior online.

The measure reflects broader concerns about the adequacy of current safeguards protecting Filipino children in digital spaces. While the proposal has gained traction among some lawmakers, it remains unclear whether the full legislature will advance such restrictions and what mechanisms would be implemented to enforce age-based limitations across multiple platforms.