Most young Filipinos want safer social media, not a ban, Plan International study finds
A Plan International Pilipinas study found 63% of young Filipinos back conditional social media access with safeguards, while 29% favor a ban.
COMMUNITYNEWS
10/29/20262 min read
Most young Filipinos want stronger protections online, not a blanket ban on social media, according to consultations and an assessment study by Plan International Pilipinas on children’s digital experiences. They want to stay online. They want it to be safer.
In a 2026 consultation held amid debate over social media restrictions for minors, 63% of respondents said access for children under 16 “depends” or should come “with conditions.” Another 29% supported an outright ban, and 7% opposed one entirely. The consultation drew 164 participants through an online survey and included a focus group discussion with 13 members of the organization’s Youth Advisory Group.
Respondents pointed instead to age-appropriate safeguards, parental guidance, safer digital environments, and stronger platform accountability. They also asked for more support in building the skills to navigate online spaces responsibly.
Earlier assessment found the same pattern
The results echo Plan International Pilipinas’ Landscape Assessment of Online Platforms Used by Children and Young People in Selected Regions of the Philippines. That study examined how young people use digital platforms, the risks they face, and the protections they say would make their experiences safer.
The mixed-method assessment reached 590 participants: 494 online survey respondents, 80 focus group discussion participants, and 16 key informants from selected areas nationwide.
Communication was the leading reason young people use online platforms, followed by education and learning, leisure, and stress reduction. Respondents said they use these spaces to keep up with family and friends, join communities, share updates, find information, pick up new skills, and attend online classes.
Among respondents aged 15 to 17, social media and messaging apps were used often for communication, education, and leisure, and they showed more independence in choosing apps. They also called for age-appropriate content filters, better privacy and reporting tools, safer platform design, more parental guidance, and stronger digital literacy support.
Young people name the risks themselves
Respondents cited exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, scams, privacy concerns, online exploitation, and excessive use. They urged online platforms and the government to act, with more effective safeguards and greater accountability for harmful content and unsafe interactions.
TikTok tops perceived child-friendly apps
Among social media apps respondents perceived as child-friendly, TikTok ranked highest at 40.7%, followed by Facebook at 32.2%, Instagram at 16.1%, and Snapchat at 11%. The report also found safety gaps across platforms and stressed the need for stronger protections for children and young people.
“Our ultimate goal here is not to remove teens from the digital environment, but to equip them with the necessary practical skills, so they can safely navigate the online environment safely, critically, and responsibly,” said Sheila Estabillo, project manager of Plan International Pilipinas.
The organization said online safety is a shared responsibility among families, schools, government, communities, civil society, and technology companies. Its study calls for a mix of appropriate regulation, digital literacy, age-appropriate design, parental support, effective reporting mechanisms, and stronger platform accountability.