CEBU CITY—Parents who use children as content for social media posts can be sued for child exploitation, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region VII.
Regional director Shalane Lucero said violations include breaching children’s rights to dignity, privacy, and safety. “Using children as content… can lead to exploitation, embarrassment, or exposure to predators,” she added.
Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) officer Joanna Camille Jacinto-Lizardo also cited possible long-term effects on children’s self-esteem, mental health, and online presence.
Authorities encouraged citizens to report cases of child abuse and exploitation to local councils, advocates, or through the MAKABATA Helpline 1383.
The DSWD-7 and CWC urged media and content creators to adopt child-sensitive guidelines, conduct in-house training, and institutionalize ethical reporting standards. Minerva Newman
