MANILA — Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri called for stricter regulation of children’s access to social media, including the possibility of banning or limiting use among minors, following the fatal school shooting incident in Tacloban City.

Zubiri expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and said he is praying for the recovery of those injured in the incident.

“Nakikiramay tayo sa mga pamilya ng mga batang nasawi sa school shooting sa Tacloban, at ipinagdarasal ko ang mabilis na paggaling ng mga nasugatan sa napakalungkot na insidenteng ito.”

He stressed that schools should remain safe spaces for children and emphasized that parents should not be burdened with fear when sending their children to school.

“A school, being our children’s second home, should be one of the safest places for our students. Wala dapat na magulang na mapupuno ng pangamba, takot at kaba sa tuwing maghahatid ng anak sa eskwelahan.”

Zubiri said the incident highlights the growing influence of social media on children, noting that exposure to violent content, online threats, and harmful trends can shape behavior and decision-making at a young age.

“This tragedy should push us to confront a hard truth: matindi na ang influence ng social media sa mga bata. Whether a child is bullied or not, violent content, online threats, dangerous trends and hateful behavior can plant ideas in young minds and give them the confidence to act on things they should never even consider.”

He expressed support for discussions on restricting social media access for young users, citing the need for stronger safeguards in the digital space.

“That is why I support a serious discussion on banning or strictly limiting social media access for young children. Kailangan na nating bantayan nang mas maigi ang mga bata online, dahil sa edad nila, mabilis silang maimpluwensiyahan ng mga nakikita, nababasa at napapanood nila sa social media.”

Zubiri also cited the pending Social Media Safety for Children Act in the Senate, which seeks to prohibit children below 16 years old from creating or maintaining social media accounts.

He noted that several countries, including Australia, United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Greece, Spain, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates have either implemented or are moving toward stricter age restrictions and online protections for minors.

He also raised the possibility of revisiting provisions of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, including studying whether minors as young as 14 who commit heinous crimes such as murder and rape should be tried as adults, while still considering due process, discernment, and rehabilitation.

Zubiri likewise called for immediate action on security gaps exposed by the Tacloban incident, including how the firearm entered the school premises and what measures can be implemented to prevent similar incidents.

He said Congress could also look into additional funding and support for school security personnel, equipment, training, inspection systems, and screening measures. He also suggested mandatory bag inspections at school entrances for students, personnel, and visitors, while ensuring respect and dignity are maintained.

“My prayers are with the families of the victims as they seek comfort, justice and peace. Hinihiling ko sa lahat ng concerned government agencies: act with urgency, strengthen school security, protect our children online and make sure no other family will have to suffer this kind of heartbreak again.”