The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — As governments in Asia consider stricter controls over social media, Philippine advocates are calling for greater oversight of online platforms to protect minors from the risks of unregulated digital spaces. In Thailand, authorities have focused on mandatory 24-hour takedowns of illegal content and are weighing measures to restrict social media access for children under 16 without parental consent, aiming to curb cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate material. In the Philippines, Dr. Michael Aragon, founder and chairman of the Kapisanan ng Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas, Inc. (KSMBPI), is urging the government to actively strengthen control over social media platforms. In an interview with The Manila Times, Aragon said the rapid expansion of digital platforms has created a “new world” where communication is instant and largely unregulated, leaving minors vulnerable to exploitation, misinformation, and online abuse. “Social media cannot be fully controlled, even by governments,” Aragon said. “But what we can do is influence behavior through education, discipline, and responsibility—especially for those who create and distribute content.” Founded in 2017 as a professional and training organization for aspiring social media broadcasters, KSMBPI has evolved in response to social media’s increasing role in daily life, particularly during and after the pandemic. Its programs compress the fundamentals of journalism, ethics, and broadcasting into short, intensive courses designed to be accessible to ordinary citizens. Aragon warned that the same accessibility that allows individuals—including minors—to participate in online discourse also exposes them to unverified information and harmful content. Without proper guidance, young users may unknowingly spread false information or become targets of abuse. KSMBPI’s strategy focuses on education and self-regulation. Its training programs teach participants how to produce content responsibly, uphold ethical standards, verify information, and navigate legal frameworks such as libel and data privacy laws. “These are not just technical skills,” Aragon said. “We are teaching responsibility—how to think before posting, how to protect others, and how to ensure that what is shared contributes positively to society.” Members of KSMBPI, who come from diverse sectors including students, professionals, and community workers, are encouraged to act as “frontliners” in monitoring online content within their communities. The group aims to build a nationwide network of trained social media practitioners, creating a decentralized yet coordinated watchdog system. “If we have trained individuals in every barangay, they can help ensure that information circulating online is accurate and safe, especially for our children,” Aragon said. He stressed that the organization’s approach did not seek to curtail freedom of expression. “We are not here to silence anyone,” he said. “We are here to strengthen the fourth estate by making it ethical, informed, and protective of the public, especially the youth.”
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