PNP mulls recommending social media ban for minors

In this illustration photograph taken on June 18, 2026, shows a mobile phone displaying the logos of social media platforms with a prohibition sign. Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it was considering a proposal raised during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Chiefs of Police (Aseanapol) Conference to push for a ban on social media use for minors. The proposal stemmed from the 44th Aseanapol Conference’s discussion of the Australian social media ban on users younger than age 16, according to PNP director for investigation and detective management Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay. “That was one of the recommendations to us and it was agreed upon by the conference,” Baccay, speaking Filipino, said in a press briefing after the conference in Pasay City late Saturday afternoon. Article continues after this advertisement “Perhaps, we can borrow certain legislation that could also help us prevent the use of social media and other violent platforms accessible to our children,” he added. READ: Permanent ban on violent video games pressed after Tacloban shooting Leading the briefing, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. cited that the Aseanapol’s proposal came in light of the Tacloban City school shooting last June, killing three students and injuring 20 more. The PNP pointed blame at the two minor suspects’ supposed exposure to violence online, particularly the game GoreBox and social media. “Upon coordination, upon talks, meetings with our neighboring countries as well as our dialogue partners, they have other laws and we’ll try to consider them,” Nartatez explained. Article continues after this advertisement “If other nations are looking after the law in Australia, we can emulate that or improve upon it,” he added. Australia, an official dialogue partner of the Aseanapol, adopted the social media ban for users aged 16 and younger last year. Article continues after this advertisement Nartatez likewise touted that the PNP handled 77 cases of child exploitation and human trafficking involving minors from January to June 2026, of which four remained under investigation while the rest were already filed in court. “We have the capability,” the PNP chief said in Filipino. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. “If Australia, European countries and Asean have the capability, so do we. What’s important here is for us to talk to our neighbors. That is what we call cooperation and partnership,” he added. /jpv