CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (October 12) — Keeping minors off social media will not, by itself, prevent youth violence, the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) warned, calling instead for stronger mental health support, safer schools and greater accountability from online platforms.
“A blanket ban is a nonsolution to keeping young people safe,” PMHA national executive director Dr. Carolina Uno-Rayco said in a statement.
PMHA said preventing violence, including school shootings, requires a broader response involving mental health services, safe school environments, responsible online platforms, and early identification and intervention for young people who may need support.
While acknowledging the need to protect minors from harmful online content, the association said social media also provides opportunities for young people to connect, learn and express themselves.
Instead of a blanket prohibition, PMHA called for stronger safeguards against harmful content and greater support from families, schools and communities.
“We support ongoing discussions around promoting online safety by design and ensuring young people are empowered through support and digital literacy to navigate both online and offline spaces safely,” Uno-Rayco said.
She added that young people should learn healthy digital habits, recognize harmful content and behavior, and know when and where to seek help.
Protection must include platform accountability
PMHA’s position raises a critical question: Will a blanket ban make children safer, or shift responsibility for online harm onto children and their parents?
The government must identify who will enforce online safety rules and how platforms will be held accountable. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) have roles in digital policy and cybercrime coordination. The Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)are central to cybercrime investigation and prosecution.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and local social welfare offices handle child-protection and victim-support functions, while the National Privacy Commission (NPC) is relevant to safeguards involving children’s personal data.
Lawmakers must clarify how these agencies will coordinate, which office will act on complaints against platforms, what penalties may be imposed under applicable laws, and how children can report abuse and obtain support. They must also address enforcement when companies operate outside the Philippines and ensure that age-verification systems do not expose children to unnecessary privacy risks.
For Mindanao, reporting channels and victim-support services must be accessible to children in underserved and conflict-affected communities. Authorities should publish measurable results, including response times, investigations, enforcement actions and referrals to support services, while protecting victims’ identities.
Any restrictions must also balance protection from online harm with children’s rights to information, education, privacy and participation. Children themselves should have a voice in shaping policies that affect their access to digital spaces.
PMHA said protecting young people means keeping them safe while respecting their right to connect, participate, learn and engage with others both online and offline.
Before imposing a blanket ban, the government must show who is answerable for enforcement, how platforms will be compelled to meet their obligations, and what evidence will demonstrate that children are safer—not merely less able to access social media.
