Too Young to Scroll
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Should the Philippines set a legal age for social media and AI before technology shapes our children more than we do?
By Pauline Reitzer
When Austria announced plans to ban social media for children under 14 in March 2026, it joined a growing number of countries trying to better protect young people online. Australia had already made headlines by becoming the first country to ban social media for children under 16. France now requires parental consent for children under 15 to create social media accounts, while the United Kingdom has introduced stricter online safety rules that require platforms to do more to protect minors.
These moves raise an important question: Should the Philippines do the same?
The debate is no longer whether social media affects children, but how best to protect them. In a country where social media is deeply woven into daily life, that question feels more important than ever.
Growing Up Online
Today's children have never known a world without the internet. They learn, play, communicate and express themselves online, often from an early age.
Social media can help young people stay connected, learn new skills and express themselves creatively.
Cyberbullying, misinformation, online predators, unhealthy comparisons and excessive screen time have become common concerns for parents and educators. Social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged, constantly serving up content chosen by algorithms.
For children and teenagers whose brains are still developing, spending hours in these digital spaces can affect attention spans, emotional well-being, self-esteem and sleep.
Artificial Intelligence
As parents are beginning to understand social media, a new technology has arrived: artificial intelligence, or AI.
AI tools can write essays, create images, imitate voices, answer questions and even hold conversations.
Like social media, AI can help children learn, explore ideas and solve problems. But it also creates new risks.
AI can be used to create fake photos and videos, spread misinformation, impersonate real people and power increasingly sophisticated scams. Child protection groups in the Philippines have also warned that AI is making it easier for predators and criminals to create harmful content involving minors.
Lawmakers and child welfare advocates are exploring ways to protect children from AI-generated abuse, exploitation and deepfakes.
Even everyday actions can carry risks. Earlier this year, child advocates warned parents to think carefully before uploading their children's photos to AI platforms, noting that images can be altered, reused, or shared in ways families never intended.
Can Laws Solve the Problem?
Supporters of age restrictions argue that children deserve the same protections online that they receive offline.
Like driving, alcohol, and gambling, supporters argue that social media and AI should have age-based safeguards.
Critics argue that age restrictions can be difficult to enforce. Teenagers often find ways around age checks, while stricter verification systems can raise privacy concerns. Some experts also worry that bans alone do not teach children the digital skills they will need throughout their lives.
Unlike Austria, Australia, France and the UK, the Philippines has not yet proposed a nationwide minimum age law for social media. Still, concerns about children's online safety continue to grow. Child protection advocates warn that social media and AI are creating new avenues for scams, exploitation and harmful content.
Recent events have also brought the conversation closer to home. Following the tragic school shooting in Tacloban City earlier this year, discussions about youth mental health, cyberbullying, online influences and access to violent digital content resurfaced nationwide. While experts caution against linking such incidents to any single cause, the tragedy renewed concerns about the impact of online experiences on young people.
As other countries test new laws and protections, should it introduce age restrictions, strengthen digital safety education, increase parental involvement, or pursue a combination of all three?
Perhaps the real issue is not access, but whether we are giving children the guidance, supervision, and skills they need to navigate these technologies safely.
Technology is now part of childhood. The challenge is making sure children remain in control of it, not the other way around.
Protecting Kids from Social Media and AI
A Practical Guide for Parents
By Pauline Reitzer
Delay social media when possible
The later children enter social media, the better equipped they are to handle online pressures and risks. For example, Messenger Kids allows children to use the Facebook app under a parent’s account with strict rules.
Keep devices out of the dining table and bedrooms at night
Creating screen-free spaces helps protect mental health, supports sleep quality and family communication.
Talk before problems arise
Discuss cyberbullying, online predators, misinformation, deepfakes and scams before children encounter them.
Teach the "Pause Before You Post" rule
Remind children that anything shared online can be permanent.
Monitor AI use
Know which AI tools your children use and remind them never to share personal information. photos, addresses or school details.
Explain deepfakes
Teach children that videos, photos and voice recordings can be manipulated and may not always be real.
Set family tech agreements
Establish clear rules for screen time, downloads, privacy and acceptable online behavior.
Use parental controls but don't rely on them alone
Technology helps but communication remains the strongest safeguard.
Encourage offline activities
Sports, hobbies, reading, volunteering and face-to-face friendships help build resilience and reduce dependence on online validation.
Be a role model
Children often mirror the digital habits they see at home.
Bottom line: The goal is not to raise children who fear technology, but children who use it wisely.
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