FILE

The Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) is urging parents, schools, technology companies, and the government to work together in protecting children online, recommending that those aged 16 years and below should not have unsupervised access to social media.

In its latest position statement, the PPS said while social media has become an important tool for communication, learning, and self-expression, it also exposes young users to serious risks such as harmful content, cyberbullying, compulsive use, sleep disruption, online predators, and mental health concerns.

The group explained that children and teenagers are still in a crucial stage of brain development, particularly in areas responsible for impulse control, decision-making, and emotional regulation. According to the PPS, these developmental processes continue well beyond adolescence, making younger users more susceptible to the addictive and highly stimulating features built into many digital platforms.

Instead of completely shutting children out of the digital world, the organization said any social media access for those 16 and below should be closely supervised by parents or guardians. Accounts, it said, should be co-managed with clear rules, active guidance, and age-appropriate boundaries.

The PPS also stressed that age alone should not determine whether a child is ready to use social media. Parents and caregivers should evaluate each child's maturity and individual needs, while schools should continue teaching digital literacy, responsible online behavior, and internet safety.

Beyond families and educators, the society called on technology companies to strengthen child protection measures by improving age verification systems, limiting addictive platform features, creating safer default settings for minors, and increasing transparency in how algorithms recommend content to young users.

Pediatricians were likewise encouraged to make discussions about digital media use part of routine health checkups. The group said doctors should help families identify unhealthy social media habits early and refer children to mental health or developmental specialists when necessary.

The PPS also highlighted the need for more Philippine-based research on the effects of social media on children's mental health, behavior, academic performance, and exposure to online exploitation. It said stronger local evidence would help shape more effective child protection policies in the future.

Emphasizing that protecting children online requires a collective effort, the organization said, "Keeping Filipino children safe online is a shared responsibility."

The PPS added that it remains committed to promoting education, prevention, early intervention, and stronger digital health policies to ensure Filipino children can safely participate in the online world while receiving the protection and guidance they need.