Libanan seeks tighter social media rules for minors
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TACLOBAN CITY — House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan is calling for tighter restrictions on minors' access to social media following the fatal shooting of three students inside San Jose National High School, saying the tragedy exposed gaps in child protection policies.
Libanan said the incident should prompt lawmakers to review whether existing laws and public policies remain adequate to protect Filipino children from harmful online influences and acts of extreme violence.
"We cannot ignore the possibility that unrestricted exposure to harmful online content and violent digital communities may be influencing vulnerable young minds," Libanan said in a statement.
He urged Congress and internet regulators to seriously study reasonable restrictions on minors' access to social media that are consistent with the Constitution while protecting children's welfare.
Libanan pointed to Australia as an example, noting that it has passed a law prohibiting children younger than 16 from maintaining social media accounts.
He also called on Congress to revisit the concept of discernment under Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
Under the law, children 15 years old and below are exempt from criminal liability, while those older than 15 but below 18 may be held criminally liable only if they acted with discernment.
"Congress has a responsibility to undertake a careful and evidence-based review of our juvenile justice law. We must continue protecting children while ensuring that our legal framework remains responsive to exceptionally grave offenses," Libanan said.
The lawmaker also urged Congress and the Department of Education to address the severe shortage of licensed guidance counselors in public schools.
During deliberations on the proposed 2026 national budget, Education Secretary Sonny Angara told the House Committee on Appropriations that the Department of Education would need more than 50,000 licensed guidance counselors to meet the internationally recommended ratio of one counselor for every 250 students.
At present, the Philippines has only 4,069 licensed guidance counselors.
"Every public school should have adequate access to professional guidance counselors who can identify behavioral problems early, provide timely intervention, and help prevent violence before lives are lost. Prevention must always remain our first line of defense," Libanan said.
