Marcos takes cautious stance on social media restrictions for minors

SINGAPORE — President Marcos has signaled a measured approach to proposed social media restrictions for minors, declining to immediately endorse a Senate bill that would prevent children from accessing certain digital services.

The Senate has already adopted legislation designed to curb minors' use of high-risk online platforms. However, Marcos indicated his administration is taking time to evaluate the measure and study approaches implemented in other countries before making a final decision.

"We're examining what other nations have done, but we need to be thoughtful," Marcos said, according to statements made during discussions on the proposed restrictions. The President stressed that any effective strategy to prevent violence among young people must go beyond simply limiting their access to social media.

The administration's cautious stance reflects broader concerns about balancing child protection with other considerations, including technology access and digital literacy. Youth violence prevention, Marcos suggested, requires a comprehensive approach involving multiple government agencies and community stakeholders, rather than relying solely on restrictions to digital platforms.

The Senate's initiative comes amid growing concerns across the region about the impact of social media on young people's mental health and behavior. The President's comments suggest the executive branch will conduct further consultations before committing to the legislative proposal.