A proposed social media ban for Filipinos under 16 years old may do more harm than good and still fail to keep them off the internet, with identity verification requirements also likely to create data governance issues, stakeholders said, as reported by BusinessWorld.
Wayvent Innovations, Inc. President Emmanuel Caguimbal said infrastructure to bypass age restrictions is already a “mainstream” practice among tech-savvy minors, making enforcement difficult. He warned that without robust authentication systems, the ban could drive children to unregulated platforms or methods that expose them to greater risks.
Further, the requirement for identity verification raises serious data governance concerns. Collecting personal data for age checks, especially from minors, could create large databases vulnerable to breaches or misuse. Stakeholders urged lawmakers to consider alternative measures that balance child safety with privacy rights.