# Philippines rushes social media ban after school shootings > Lawmakers pass age restrictions on social media following a spate of student violence, but experts question whether the approach will work. - Title: Philippines rushes social media ban after school shootings - Summary: Lawmakers pass age restrictions on social media following a spate of student violence, but experts question whether the approach will work. The Philippines… - Keywords: philippines, social media ban, school violence, children, legislation, mental health, age restrictions, news, world, rushes, social, media - Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/10/14/philippines-social-media-ban-school-violence - Author: Chad de Guzman - Published: 2026-10-14T11:00:03.758+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: philippines, social media ban, school violence, children, legislation, mental health, age restrictions, news, world ## House passes strict social media ban The Philippines House of Representatives passed a bill on Monday banning children under thirteen from social media, with limited access for those thirteen to seventeen.Two hundred eighty-seven members voted in favor and only three against. ## Senate passed stricter version last week The Senate passed its own bill last week with a higher age threshold, barring people under eighteen from social media platforms and services classified as high-risk.The two versions must reconcile before going to the President. ## School shootings catalyzed the crackdown School shootings used to be rare in the Philippines, but a spate of incidents involving students this year prompted lawmakers to act swiftly. They believe social media is a cause of the deadly trend. ## President cautious about effectiveness Philippine President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Junior said it was not surprising Congress took action, but his administration would study whether such a ban could work in the nation of more than one hundred ten million… > It has its advantages, but it could also simply make children hide their use. ## Education secretary cites harmful influences Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara said harmful online influences were a possible factor behind violent incidents. ## Australia's ban shows limited results Australia was the first country to ban social media for children, but a community-based study published in June twenty twenty-six showed limited implementation, incomplete compliance, and substantial circumvention of restrictions in the three months after… ## Senator opposes blanket ban approach Senator Risa Hontiveros, a children and women's rights champion, cast the sole dissenting vote in the Senate. > Our legislation must reflect the realities of how social media has also benefited young people. ## Multiple school shooting incidents in twenty twenty-six In March, seven teenagers from Calabarzon region allegedly planned a school attack in February.In June, two students aged fourteen and fifteen opened fire in Tacloban City, killing three and injuring twenty. ## Another shooting one month later A month after the Zamboanga incident, a shooting at another southern Philippine high school left two fourteen-year-old students dead and eight people wounded.The teenage gunman fatally shot himself. ## Mental health experts reject ban approach The Philippine Mental Health Association argues that a blanket ban on social media is a non-solution.Director Dr. > Preventing violence requires a comprehensive approach that includes mental health support, safe school environments, responsible online platforms and early identification and intervention. ## Activists call for platform accountability Activist group Akbayan Youth argued the proposed ban penalizes young users by disrupting those who depend on social media for education and livelihood.National chairperson Khylla Meneses called for holding platforms accountable instead of punishing youth. > Do not punish the youth. Hold accountable the platforms that profit from how social media operates. ## Key takeaway The Philippines House passed a bill banning children under thirteen from social media and restricting access for those thirteen to seventeen, citing school violence as a catalyst, though critics argue the ban may be ineffective.