‘Regulating excessive use of mobile phones and social media platforms is important. Both DepEd and UNICEF agreed there’s an urgent need to address the problem.’

THE fact that kids nowadays are spending a concerning amount of time on social media, video games, and other activities on screens is more than enough reason that what we are dealing with at the onset of modern-day technology is an addiction.

We’ve talked to experts and their observations seemed synonymous with what we’ve been tackling in the last two weeks.

It’s quite disappointing though that after reaching out to various offices deemed capable of dealing with the wrath of social media addiction, only the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWD) are apparently concerned with the problem.

I hope it’s not because DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian are much younger and more techie than DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and DICT Secretary Ivan Uy, who are in their senior years.    

The adverse effects of this new form of addiction require a concerted effort if only to address the problem even before it blows beyond manageable proportions.

For one, the inclusion of parents of kids hooked on smartphones and social media is a must. Both Secretary Angara and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) agreed on this. It makes sense because the parents themselves are liable to some extent since they are the ones who bought smartphones for their kids. Don’t get me wrong. I am not blaming anyone as such is not an option in solving the problem.

In response to my question, UNICEF Philippines’ Chief of Child Protection Patricia Lim Ah Ken issued a statement that reads:

“Protecting children and adolescents from digital harms requires all sectors—families, schools, governments, and the private sector—to work together to create a safe and empowering digital environment. Strengthening child protection systems and promoting digital responsibility through inclusive policies, education, and safeguards ensure that children can safely navigate online spaces while accessing opportunities for growth and development.

“While regulating excessive use of mobile phones and social media platforms is important, especially for children in their developmental years, we must ensure that any such measures uphold their best interests, aligning with their rights to protection and participation.

“Rather than imposing one-size-fits-all restrictions, it is crucial to adopt positive-oriented limits that are age-appropriate and mutually agreed upon with children, empowering them to practice digital responsibility. Safeguards, such as parental controls and blocking inappropriate content, should be coupled with promoting digital literacy to enable children to safely navigate online spaces while still accessing valuable opportunities for learning and connection.

“By involving parents, schools, children, and digital platforms, we can foster a balanced and safe digital environment without stifling their growth and development.”

So where do we start? Perhaps, we can draw some inspiration from the practices of the United Kingdom, France and the European Union which tapped parents instead of technocrats who have already done their part in tedious studies on the addictive pattern and ill-effects of unregulated use of smartphones and internet access.

Oh yes, parents should know by now that their kids are spending more time online than they feel they probably should, and they have a hard time stopping, for which DepEd expressed interest in discussions around the regulation of smartphone use among children and teenagers.

In a separate interview, Secretary Angara recommended a balanced approach rather than imposing strict bans. Instead of outright restrictions, Secretary Angara advocated for policies that promote parental guidance and monitoring of smartphone usage.

Taking a cue from what the UK and France did, Angara is also considering the involvement of parents whom he claimed would be playing crucial roles in what he aptly referred to as a preventive approach.

Secretary Angara said DepEd should explore options such as:

1. Parental Control Requirements: Similar to the UK, we could require that smartphones sold to individuals under 16 come with default parental controls, empowering parents to monitor and manage their children’s access to content.

2. Promotion of Alternatives: Encouraging the availability of non-internet-enabled “children’s phones” as an alternative for younger users could help minimize distractions while allowing for essential communication.

3. Educational Use Restrictions: Following France’s lead, we could establish guidelines that limit smartphone use in educational settings to strictly pedagogical purposes, ensuring that technology serves as a tool for learning rather than a distraction.

“By implementing these measures, we can foster a healthier relationship between children and technology while ensuring that parents are equipped to guide their children’s usage effectively. This way, we’re not restricting access but rather promoting responsible use and safety in the digital age,” Secretary Angara said.

There’s just one glitch – the Philippines doesn’t have a law yet to ensure online safety for children and if the proposed Magna Carta of Children is toothless or has fangs to ensure digital platforms (such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Google, Lazada, Shopee, Zalora, Timu, ChatGPT, Grab and the likes), mobile gadget manufacturers (such as Apple, Samsung, OPPO, Huawei, ZTE, Realme, Lenovo and OnePlus among others) as well as telcos and internet service providers (such as PLDT, Smart, Globe, DITO and Converge ICT etc.) shall cooperate and become partners of the government in preventing illegal and harmful activities online.

I reached out to Rep. Yedda Romuladez and her co-authors, particularly Reps. Sandro Marcos, Jude Acidre and Angelica Natasha Co to clarify certain provisions of their proposed Magna Carta of Children which seemed to have incorporated an earlier proposal that strengthened internet and digital content safety and protection for children.

Praying that the members of Congress I am trying to reach out to have not been infected by the “teka lang” syndrome of DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and DICT Secretary Ivan Uy!