Scam Watch Pilipinas, UNICEF aligned on social media ban concerns

• Courtesy of Scam Watch Pilipinas and UNICEF

Scam Watch Pilipinas said its position against blanket social media bans aligns with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)  Philippines’ warning that restricting access alone will not protect children from online harm.

The citizen-led anti-scam movement urged lawmakers to prioritize platform accountability, digital literacy and stronger child protection measures rather than relying on bans that fail to address the wider threats children face across the internet.

“We cannot ban our way to child online safety. We must educate, regulate, empower and protect,” said Scam Watch Pilipinas Co-Founder and Lead Convenor Jocel de Guzman.

De Guzman said online grooming, violence, cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, scams and other harmful content are not confined to social media. Children can encounter these threats through gaming platforms, messaging applications, websites and other online communities.

“Banning social media does not eliminate these dangers. It may simply push children toward less regulated platforms and digital spaces where parents, teachers and authorities have even less visibility,” De Guzman said.

UNICEF calls for broader protection

In its October 8 statement, UNICEF Philippines urged policymakers to adopt a comprehensive approach to child online protection, warning that age restrictions or social media bans alone are unlikely to keep children safe.

UNICEF emphasized the need for safer platform design, stronger content moderation, appropriate age safeguards, improved digital literacy and accessible reporting mechanisms.

The United Nations agency also cautioned that poorly designed restrictions risk pushing children toward less regulated online spaces while limiting their access to information, learning opportunities and support networks.

Educate children and parents, hold Big Tech accountable

De Guzman said Scam Watch Pilipinas supports stronger regulation and age-appropriate restrictions but opposes blanket bans as the government’s default response to digital threats.

The group called for greater accountability from technology companies, particularly in addressing harmful content, predatory behavior, dangerous algorithms and online exploitation.

De Guzman also emphasized the need to educate parents, guardians and teachers on existing parental controls, content filters, privacy settings and other child safety features already available on digital platforms.

“Our advocacy is to empower children to identify online dangers, understand how to avoid them, protect themselves and know when and where to seek help,” De Guzman said.

Scam Watch Pilipinas also reiterated its call for stronger cooperation among ASEAN member states to hold global technology companies accountable for online threats affecting children and other internet users across the region.

Beyond social media bans

The statement comes as Philippine lawmakers consider measures restricting children’s access to social media, including proposals covering minors below 18 years old.

De Guzman stressed that legitimate concerns over child safety should not become justification for policies that merely prevent access without addressing the underlying dangers.

Government must strengthen child protection policies, schools must integrate online safety education, and technology companies must take greater responsibility for their platforms, according to the group.

“The objective should not simply be to keep children away from social media. It should be to build a safer digital environment while developing a generation of Filipinos capable of recognizing danger, making responsible decisions and protecting themselves online,” De Guzman said.

“Protecting children is our shared responsibility. A blanket ban is not a substitute for doing the harder work.”

(The Scam Watch Pilipinas and TechWatch PH are both powered by Truth360 Inc.)