SENATOR Joel Villanueva has filed a measure seeking to make online platform operators more accountable for protecting minors in digital spaces, shifting responsibility away from children and their parents.

Under Senate Bill No. 2071, or the proposed SMART KIDS Act, Villanueva said the measure aims to regulate youth access to online platforms through what he described as a firm yet balanced approach focused on safeguarding children below 15 years old.

“As a parent, we want to make sure that the welfare and safety of our children remain a top priority, and this includes what they are exposed to on online media platforms,” Villanueva said.

The senator stressed that the proposed law would not penalize minors, parents, or guardians. Instead, it would require digital platform operators to take responsibility for maintaining safer online environments.

“Rather than penalizing young users, their parents or legal guardians, the measure ensures that those who design, operate, and profit from digital platforms are held accountable for maintaining a safe environment,” he said.

Villanueva added that the bill is anchored on the principle that companies shaping the digital environment must likewise be responsible for ensuring user safety.

The proposed measure would require online media platform operators to prohibit the creation of accounts by age-restricted users and establish systems to detect, verify, suspend, deactivate, or remove prohibited accounts. Operators would also be mandated to regularly update safeguards against attempts to circumvent the law.

The bill further requires platforms to implement age assurance systems, content moderation measures, safety-by-design features, and continuous risk management processes.

Among the mandated safeguards are parental or guardian controls, content filtering systems, interaction restrictions, and reasonable usage or screen time management tools for minors.

Platform operators would also be directed to identify, limit, or disable addictive and engagement-driven features, including algorithmic amplification that may encourage prolonged or compulsive use among children.

The proposed SMART KIDS Act likewise seeks to strengthen transparency requirements and personal data protections to ensure compliance without compromising privacy and fundamental rights.

Villanueva’s bill also imposes penalties on non-compliant platform operators, with fines ranging from P1 million to P20 million.

The senator said it is time to place accountability on companies that design, manage, and profit from digital services rather than on the minors using them.

“Tinitiyak po ng panukalang ito na ang magkaroon din ng pananagutan ang operator ng platform na nagdidisenyo, nagpapatakbo, at kumikita sa mga digital na serbisyo, sa halip na sa mga menor de edad na gumagamit nito,” Villanueva said.