Should Filipino minors be kept off social media?

A proposed Texas law that could become the toughest social media ban for minors in the United States is grabbing attention — and sparking debate far beyond America’s borders.

Texas House Bill 186 aims to block anyone under 18 from accessing platforms like Facebook, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Snapchat unless they have parental consent. Supporters say the bill is long overdue, pointing to growing worries about social media addiction, shrinking attention spans, and the toll these platforms may be taking on kids’ mental health.

But halfway around the world, in the Philippines — often dubbed the social media capital of the world — the idea raises more questions than answers. Could a policy like this work here? And, more importantly, should it?

A nation glued to the screen

According to the Digital 2025 Report by We Are Social and Meltwater, 90.8-million Filipinos were active social media users as of January, or 78 percent of the population.

Meanwhile, 97.5-million Filipinos — 83.8 percent of the population — are internet users. Cellular mobile connections now outnumber the population, reaching 142 million or 122 percent penetration, due to multiple SIM card or eSIM usage.

Social media is undeniably a core part of Filipino life. Platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube are not just for communication but are central to how Filipinos consume news, learn, work, and earn.

YouTube alone reaches nearly 57.7 million Filipinos — about half the population.

These platforms have created unprecedented opportunities for content creation, digital entrepreneurship, and grassroots movements. For media companies like ours, this user base represents a massive audience and vital advertising revenue. A partial shutdown would have significant economic consequences.

An addiction?

Despite the benefits, the question remains: Are we raising a generation of screen addicts?

In interviews, parents, educators, and students shared stories of empowerment as well as distress.

A high school teacher in San Pedro, Laguna noted that many students could recite TikTok trends more fluently than they could read a news article. “They’re online 8 to 10 hours a day, and their reading comprehension has suffered,” the teacher said.

A 16-year-old student in Muntinlupa City defended his generation. “We’re not lazy. We just learn differently. We spend time on our phones, but we also get news from Reddit, learn math on YouTube, and share ideas on Discord.”

“It’s alarming,” said a mother of two teenagers in Sta. Rosa, also in Laguna. “My son spends over six hours daily scrolling through TikTok or watching streamers. I try to limit it, but it always turns into a fight.”

The data is concerning. The Philippines ranks among the highest globally in daily social media usage. Filipino internet users average 8 hours and 52 minutes per day on social media, according to DataReportal.

Is a ban feasible?

Given the Philippines’ digital dependence, a sweeping ban like Texas’s would be nearly impossible here.

The Philippines has laws protecting minors online, such as the Anti-Child Pornography Act and the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

However, none address social media addiction or propose age-based platform access restrictions.

Legally, such a ban would clash with freedoms like expression and access to information.

Practically, enforcement would be a nightmare. Age verification systems are easily bypassed, and the country’s digital infrastructure and cybersecurity laws are still catching up.

Enforcing a ban would require technological infrastructure and cooperation from tech giants like Meta and ByteDance — a challenge even the US faces.

If traffic congestion costs the economy ₱3.5 billion daily, what is the cost of social media addiction on productivity? While no direct metric exists, analysts warn of long-term damage.

As attention spans shrink and content consumption becomes more passive, innovation, deep work, and meaningful discourse are at risk.