A mental health organization has pushed back against a blanket social media ban for minors, calling it a "nonsolution," according to Inquirer.net. The group's position was reported after the Philippine Senate approved a bill that would bar people below 18 years old from social media, Rappler reported.
The proposed measure, which the Senate approved, is known as the Smart Kids Act, according to The Manila Times. Philstar.com also reported that the Senate passed the bill restricting social media access for those under 18.
BusinessWorld Online reported that the mental health group opposes a blanket social media ban for minors, echoing the position attributed to the organization by Inquirer.net.
The reporting indicates a divide between lawmakers who advanced the restriction and mental health advocates who argue a blanket prohibition is not the right approach. The available reports do not include the group's full reasoning or the specific provisions of the bill.
The bill's next step in the legislative process was not detailed in the material available. What to watch next: whether the measure advances beyond the Senate and how mental health groups respond as it moves forward.
