SENATOR Camille Villar is pushing for a measure that provides protection for children using the internet.

In her Senate Bill No. 185, or the proposed Child Online Protection Act, Villar emphasized that children and youth are among the most vulnerable sectors of society.

The senator said that for children and youth to fulfill their vital role in nation-building, they need special protection from the harmful effects of the internet, social media, and all forms of information and communications technology.

The bill seeks to strengthen and expand the provisions of Republic Act 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act, which lapsed into law on July 30, 2022.

The measure aims to establish mechanisms to create a safe and age-appropriate online environment for children.

It also seeks to identify, prevent, and mitigate the adverse impacts of information and communications technology.

Villar’s bill also promotes an enjoyable and safe digital environment for children, prohibits social media accounts for children 12 years old and below, and upholds the protection of children’s privacy.