Student leaders on Wednesday warned that a proposed blanket social media ban for Filipinos under 18 could widen educational inequalities by limiting access to learning resources, academic communities and civic discussions, calling instead for stronger online safeguards and accountability for perpetrators.
The Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) raised the concern during a press conference titled “Ban Predators, Ban Groomers, Not Learners” in Quezon City, where student representatives from universities and secondary schools opposed restricting young people’s access to digital platforms.
“For many young people, social media extends learning beyond the four walls of the classroom. Social media helps us stay informed, connect with others, and find learning opportunities,” SCAP Under-Secretary-General Edrianna Villaruz said in a statement.
The group acknowledged risks such as cyberbullying, grooming, online sexual exploitation, misinformation and scams, but said a blanket ban would penalize young users rather than address the people and systems responsible for online harm.
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