Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will study a proposal to restrict children&#x27;s access to social media, taking inspiration from Australia&#x27;s law banning users under 16 from social media platforms, following discussions triggered by the school shooting in Tacloban City.PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the proposal emerged during the 44th ASEANAPOL Conference, where police leaders exchanged best practices in addressing emerging security threats involving children and cyberspace.One of the issues discussed was the Tacloban school shooting, which was carried out by minors.“They are called children in conflict with the law. Upon coordination and upon talk meetings with our neighboring countries, as well as our dialogue partners, meron silang ibang batas and we&#x27;ll try to consider,” he said. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/23/nbi-investigates-social-media-death-threats-vs-hontiveros-2231">NBI investigates social media death threats vs. Hontiveros </a> </div>PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) Director PBGen. Matthew Baccay said delegates discussed the influence of social media on minors, citing Australia&#x27;s legislation restricting social media access for children below a certain age.“So it was discussed and recommended that the Philippine National Police, or perhaps even the legislature, to study the same recommendation, if we can, based or patterned after that of Australia. And it was exhaustively discussed on how to go about it, para makatulong,” Baccay said.He said the proposal was raised amid allegations that the two minor suspects in the Tacloban shooting may have been influenced by violent online content, including gaming applications.“Napag-agree-han, that perhaps we can borrow certain legislations that could also help us prevent the use of social media and other violent platforms accessible to our children,” he added. Nartatez said there is nothing preventing the Philippines from adopting laws that have proven effective in other countries.“If other nations are looking after the law in Australia, pwede naman natin gayahin,” he stressed. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/7/21/countries-move-to-ban-social-media-for-children-1309">Countries move to ban social media for children </a> </div>The PNP chief said the discussion on the Tacloban incident stemmed from broader conversations during the ASEANAPOL conference on crimes involving children, particularly online sexual exploitation and other cyber-enabled offenses.He stressed that addressing borderless crimes requires close cooperation among law enforcement agencies.He also maintained that the Philippines has the capability to combat cyber-enabled crimes involving children, citing the work of the PNP Women and Children Protection Center, which has made numerous arrests through international cooperation.“May kakayahan tayo. Kung may kakayahan ang Australia, ang European country, our ASEAN, ay may kakayahan tayo. Ang importante lang is kailangan tayong mag-usap sa ating kapitbahay. That is what we call cooperation and partnership,” Nartatez said.“And our neighboring countries are very thankful for the effort of the Philippine National Police on those cases,” he said, adding that partnerships built through ASEANAPOL have strengthened the country&#x27;s capability to investigate online child exploitation and other cybercrimes.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will study a proposal to restrict children's access to social media, taking inspiration from Australia's law banning users under 16 from social media platforms, following discussions triggered by the school shooting in Tacloban City.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will study a proposal to restrict children's access to social media, taking inspiration from Australia's law banning users under 16 from social media platforms, following discussions triggered by the school shooting in Tacloban City.

PNP to study Australia-style social media ban for children after Tacloban school shooting

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PNP to study Australia-style social media ban for children after Tacloban school shooting

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 25, 2026 08:44 PM PHT

Read More:

PNP

Police

ASEANAPOL

Conference

Tacloban

School shooting

Minors

social media

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