House bill eyes tougher safety rules for social media platforms

Cavite 2nd District Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla is pushing for the approval of a measure that seeks to make social media platforms safer for Filipino families and children.

Mercado-Revilla said social media algorithms increasingly shape what users see and experience online, influencing everything from the news that appears on their feeds to the videos recommended to children.

House Bill No. 7300, or the Social Media Accountability Act, aims to make the country’s digital environment more transparent, responsible and safe, she said.

“Algorithms influence behavior, shape emotions, and quietly affect how people understand the world. When left unchecked, these systems can cause real harm, particularly to children and other vulnerable users,” said Mercado-Revilla, the principal author of the bill.

The proposed measure recognizes that while social media platforms enable communication, creativity and expression, their design and recommendation systems also exert powerful and often unseen influence over public discourse and everyday life.

“This measure is not about policing opinions. It is about accountability, making sure that digital systems do not put profit ahead of people, and that users are informed, protected, and empowered,” she said.

Under the bill, a Social Media Accountability Council (SMAC) will be created and attached to the Department of Information and Communications Technology. The council will be tasked with setting basic safety standards, reviewing platform practices and ensuring compliance with national rules on digital safety and user protection.

Mercado-Revilla said Filipino users have the right to know how their data is used and how algorithms influence the content they see daily, noting that transparency empowers users and helps families make informed choices in an increasingly algorithm-driven online environment.

The proposed council will include representatives from the DICT, National Privacy Commission, Department of Health, Department of Justice, and Department of Trade and Industry, as well as experts from the academe and civil society groups focused on digital safety and child protection.

SMAC will have the authority to issue safety standards, investigate violations, order corrective actions and impose administrative penalties. Sanctions may include fines of up to P10 million per violation and orders to modify, suspend or disable harmful platform features.

Mercado-Revilla said the Social Media Accountability Act seeks to balance free expression with responsibility, safety and fairness in the digital space, calling it a necessary step toward a healthier and more accountable online environment for Filipinos.