MANILA — Following reports of a foiled school attack, a lawmaker said he is exploring legislation to ban minors from social media.

The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) recently intercepted a plot by seven 15-year-old students in Laguna who allegedly planned a mass shooting. Authorities said the children were influenced by an unidentified online contact and directed to acquire firearms through another platform. The PNP-ACG, in coordination with Internet service providers, stopped the minors before they could carry out the plan.

“These reports should serve as a wake-up call. It is alarming that an online gaming community may have influenced these youths, highlighting the dangers of unchecked digital spaces,” Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said.

He also stressed the importance of stronger school-based mental health support.

The children have been under the custody of the social welfare office since last month.

Gatchalian said he intends to file a bill banning social media use for minors aged 16 and below, citing similar measures in countries such as Australia, Denmark, and Norway.

“Huwag na nating hintaying lumala ang problemang ito ng mga kabataan bago tayo kumilos,” he said. (Let us not wait for this problem with the youth to worsen before we act.)