Senators are pushing for stronger safeguards against violent and graphic online content involving children, with Sen. Erwin Tulfo calling for the possible imposition of heavy penalties on social media platforms that repeatedly fail to remove prohibited material.
In a privilege speech on Tuesday, Tulfo questioned whether major social media platforms are effectively enforcing their community standards following the circulation of disturbing images and videos related to the recent school shootings in Zamboanga City and Tacloban City.
“Ang krimen po ay hindi pang-entertainment. Ang paghihirap ng biktima ay hindi po content. At ang mukha ng isang batang biktima man o suspek ay hindi dapat maging viral material,” Tulfo said.
He said any proposed measure should not interfere with legitimate journalism, public-interest reporting or lawful expression but should require platforms to enforce their own policies and protect the privacy, dignity and safety of minors.
Tulfo said lawmakers should consider legislation imposing substantial fines or other sanctions on platforms that repeatedly allow prohibited content, particularly material depicting violence against children.
“Kaya kailangan nating pag-aralan ang isang batas na magpapataw ng mabibigat na multa o parusa sa mga social media platforms na paulit-ulit na pagpalabas ng mga larawan o video na ipinagbabawal na content – lalo na at nagpapakita ng karahasan laban sa mga bata,” he said.
His proposal drew support from Senate President Win Gatchalian and Senators Vicente Sotto III, Joel Villanueva, Risa Hontiveros and Raffy Tulfo, who raised concerns over the role of algorithms, monetization and the accountability of social media companies operating in the Philippines.
Gatchalian cited an ongoing federal case in the United States involving Meta and a coalition of 29 states over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were designed with features that make them addictive to children. Meta has denied the allegations.
He said violent and controversial material can attract significant attention online, raising concerns about how such content may affect young users.
“Ang problema yung mga batang nanonood dahil ito ay nakakapalala sa mental health ng mga bata at hindi natin nalalaman kung ano yung napapanood ng bata at ano yung kanyang gagawin dahil napanood niya ito,” Gatchalian said.
Hontiveros called for social media and internet companies to establish a juridical entity and maintain representatives in the Philippines. She said this would make it easier for law enforcement and investigators to coordinate with platforms and pursue accountability when online content results in harm.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo said online safety should be addressed as part of a broader child-protection system that includes anti-bullying measures, responsible parenting, safer schools and early intervention for children showing serious emotional or behavioral warning signs.
The discussion followed the Aug. 18 shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School, after disturbing material related to the incident circulated online.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development later appealed to the public to stop sharing details that could cause secondary trauma to victims, families and other people affected by the incident.
Reports have also cited the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center’s concerns over jurisdictional limitations that can make it difficult for Philippine authorities to compel foreign-based platforms to immediately remove harmful content.
Tulfo said social media companies should not be allowed to profit from material involving violence and death simply because such content generates engagement.
“Hindi maaaring ang kita ay pribado, ngunit ang social cost ng kapabayaan ay pasan nating publiko,” he said.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri subsequently moved to refer Tulfo’s privilege speech and the manifestations of the other senators to the Committee on Public Information for further consideration.
Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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