The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) expressed support for the Senate’s advancement of the Children’s Safety in Social Media Act, also known as Senate Bill 2989, which seeks to protect minors from digital risks.
The bill, under committee review, aims to regulate social media use by children to address cyberbullying, online harassment and mental health pressures. The legislation follows international trends, including recent measures in Australia that implemented age limits and stricter safeguards for minors.
While the chamber supports the push for safety, it cautioned lawmakers to maintain a balanced regulatory framework that preserves access to information and encourages digital innovation.
The group noted that the policy should respect data privacy and ensure compliance standards remain practical for businesses.
“Protecting children from online harm is a priority we fully share. At the same time, it is essential that the regulatory framework is balanced, safeguarding children while preserving access to information, encouraging digital innovation, respecting data privacy, and ensuring practical compliance standards,” AmCham said in a statement.
The business group said that child safety online is most effective when platform accountability is combined with parental empowerment, digital literacy, and collaboration between the public and private sectors.
The chamber warned that measures that are overly restrictive or impractical could stifle educational opportunities and hinder digital inclusion. Such move could also dampen investor confidence in the digital economy of the Philippines, where the government continues to seek foreign investment.
“While we pursue economic growth and attract foreign investments, we also stand with the government in building a safer and healthier digital environment for the next generation,” AmCham said.
The group expressed readiness to work with the Senate and other stakeholders to refine the policy framework. The goal is to protect children while ensuring the digital ecosystem remains innovative and competitive, it said.
