Media Group Participates in Senate Hearing on Disinformation and Child Protection

In a significant legislative development, University of the Philippines (UP) President Angelo Jimenez participated as a key resource person at a recent Senate hearing focused on child safety in digital spaces. The Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media convened on February 11 to discuss multiple Senate bills aimed at enhancing protections for minors using social media platforms.

The hearing examined five proposed legislations—Senate Bills Nos. 40, 185, 595, 601, and 1735—all seeking to establish guardrails around children’s social media usage. Jimenez attended alongside UP Diliman College of Media and Communication Dean Associate Professor Maria Diosa Labiste and UP Law Center’s Atty. Daniel Lising, bringing academic and policy expertise to the discussion.

During his testimony, President Jimenez raised several substantive concerns about the proposed legislation. He questioned whether the minimum age restrictions for social media access were proportionate to the risks being addressed—a critical consideration as lawmakers attempt to balance protection with appropriate access to digital resources for young people.

Jimenez also highlighted practical challenges regarding enforcement mechanisms and data security. With social media platforms collecting vast amounts of personal information, any legislation mandating age verification would need robust safeguards to prevent creating new privacy vulnerabilities for the very children it aims to protect.

The UP President emphasized the importance of ensuring new regulations align coherently with the Philippines’ existing legislative framework. This harmonization would be essential to prevent contradictory requirements that might complicate compliance or create legal ambiguities.

Beyond regulatory measures, Jimenez stressed the urgent need for comprehensive educational initiatives. He advocated for programs that would develop digital literacy, critical thinking skills, and media education among young users. Additionally, he noted the importance of mental health awareness and greater parental engagement in children’s online activities—suggesting a multi-pronged approach rather than relying solely on access restrictions.

The hearing, chaired by Senators Loren Legarda and Robinhood Padilla, comes amid growing global concern about social media’s impact on youth mental health and safety. Countries worldwide are increasingly implementing regulations governing children’s access to digital platforms, with varying approaches to age verification, parental consent, and platform responsibilities.

In offering UP’s assistance to the legislative effort, Jimenez pledged the university’s interdisciplinary resources spanning diverse fields including law, governance, psychology, education, public health, and data science. “We believe that evidence-based, constitutionally-sound legislation is both possible and necessary,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of research-informed policy development.

The Senate committee’s examination of these bills reflects increasing recognition of digital platforms’ profound influence on younger generations. Social media companies have faced mounting scrutiny over algorithms that may promote harmful content, inadequate age verification processes, and data collection practices affecting minors.

As the Senate continues deliberations, the input from academic institutions like UP will be crucial in crafting legislation that effectively protects children while respecting constitutional rights and practical realities of digital engagement. The challenge remains finding the appropriate balance between safeguarding vulnerable users and avoiding overly restrictive measures that might impede beneficial aspects of digital connectivity and expression.

The committee is expected to continue consultations with various stakeholders, including technology companies, child safety advocates, and legal experts, before finalizing recommendations on the proposed legislation.