Palace studying limits on minors’ social media use amid teen pregnancy rise

Malacañang on Wednesday said it is studying proposals to limit social media use among minors, as excessive and nonstop online exposure has been cited as a possible factor in the rising number of teenage pregnancies in the country.

“That’s a good suggestion, but we have to study it further,” Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a briefing.

“Kailangang aralin dahil ang social media naman po ay may positive, may negative na effects sa atin. Kung ito po ay makakatulong sa ating mga kabataan, pag-aaralan po ito para kung anuman ang kanilang maibibigay na suhestiyon ay maaaring maipatupad,” Castro maintained.

On Tuesday, Mylin Mirasol Quiray, chief of the Information, Management and Communications Division of the Commission on Population and Development, expressed alarm over the increasing number of girls aged 10 to 14 becoming pregnant.

Data showed that 3,560 girls aged 10 to 14 gave birth, up from 3,343 in 2023.

As of February 2026, Senators Panfilo Lacson, Imee Marcos, Raffy Tulfo and Camille Villar have filed bills seeking to restrict or regulate minors’ access to social media to address mental health risks, cyberbullying and addiction.

Proposals include age bans ranging from 12 to 18 years old, mandatory age verification, parental consent requirements and potential liability for platforms.

The Department of Health (DOH), meanwhile, reported that 51 percent of pregnancies in the country are unplanned, with 30 percent involving adolescents.

Castro said Malacañang has coordinated with the DOH, which assured that sex education programs consistent with existing laws and cultural considerations are being implemented.

“Kinausap po natin ang DOH, at sinabi naman po nila na mayroon po raw ngayon na isinasagawang sex education na naaayon sa batas at naaayon sa ating kultura. At mayroon din pong adolescent health services na maaaring puntahan ng ating mga kabataan. Hindi po kinakailangan ng permiso ng kanilang mga magulang, maliban lamang kung may mga treatment na gagawin o may ibibigay or gamot na irirekomenda. So, libre po ito at any time ay puwede po silang kumonsulta,” Castro said.

She added that the Palace is also consulting with the Department of Social Welfare and Development to determine whether additional interventions are needed.

Australia became the first country to ban children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, with the law taking effect on 10 December 2025. Other countries, including France, Spain, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, are implementing or developing similar measures as part of a broader push to protect youth mental health.