The Philippines’ upper chamber passed Senate Bill No. 2424, or the Safe Media Access and Responsible Technology for Kids in Digital Spaces (SMART KIDS) Act, on its third and final reading.
The measure, sponsored by Senator Robinhood Padilla, passed with a 16-1 vote, with only Senator Risa Hontiveros voting against it.
If enacted into law, the bill would ban children below 18 years old from creating and operating accounts on “high-risk” digital services, including Meta platforms, Roblox, and the controversial Gorebox.
It would also require digital service providers to implement age-assurance systems. Existing accounts belonging to minors would have to be suspended, restricted, or removed.
The bill also tasks the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) with overseeing its implementation and maintaining a portal where the public can report violations.
Online platforms found to have violated the law may face fines ranging from Php5 million to Php20 million per violation, plus an additional Php100,000 fine per day for continued non-compliance.
Guardians who knowingly help minors bypass age-restriction measures could also face a fine of up to Php50,000, community service, and mandatory participation in digital parenting programs.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian highlighted how the bill could address growing concerns over minors’ safety online, including the use of digital platforms to groom minors into committing violent acts.