Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3438

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
INCORPORATING THE VALUE OF RESPONSIBLE, FAIR AND TRUTHFUL
USAGE AND ENJOYMENT OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN SCHOOLS AND
UNIVERSITIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Social media has become an integral part of modern life in the country. In the
Philippines, an article published by the Inquirer reported that 77% of Filipinos are more active
in online interactions than in real-life engagements. This online behavior influences how the

youth consume information, interact socially, and form their values and beliefs.

Additionally, the Digital 2024 Report shows that Filipinos spend an average of 3 hours
and 34 minutes daily on social media, placing the country among the highest in the world in
terms of social media usage. While this reflects digital connectivity, it also highlights the urgent
need to equip the youth with the ability to discern factual information, exercise fairness, and

use social media platforms responsibly.

This proposed legislative measure seeks to embed social media awareness into the
national education framework by mandating its inclusion in both primary and secondary school
curricula, and integrating it into the National Service Training Program (NSTP) in higher

educational institutions. The goal of this measure is to empower students to understand how


social media can serve as a tool for nation building, critical engagement, and participatory

democracy, when used properly.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

CRISPIN DIEGO “PING” D. REMULLA


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.3438

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
INCORPORATING THE VALUE OF RESPONSIBLE, FAIR AND TRUTHFUL
USAGE AND ENJOYMENT OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN SCHOOLS AND
UNIVERSITIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Social Media Awareness
in Schools and Universities Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is in line with the increasing significance of Social
Media, as well as the Constitutional recognition of the vital role of communication and
information in nation-building, the role of education in fostering patriotism and nationalism,
accelerating social progress, and promoting total human liberation and development, as well as
the vital role of the youth in nation-building, it is the declared policy of the State to inculcate
unto the youth the virtues of discernment, critical-thinking, and responsible and fair use of
Social Media.

SEC. 3. Inclusion of Social Media in the Curricula for Primary and Secondary
Education, ~ Social Media awareness shall be part of the curriculum for both primary and
secondary education, in public and private schools, with the following objectives:

a) Inculcate how various types of Social Media aid in the effective and efficient

dissemination of information; help in shaping public discourse and opinion; and

facilitate in fostering a more participative democracy;


b) Instill the importance of upholding truth and the veracity of facts, figures and events
in Social Media:
c) Train students in responsible and fair use of Social Media; and
d) Foster the virtues of discernment and critical-thinking in the use and enjoyment of
Social Media.
SEC. 4. Social Media Awareness as part of the National Service Training Program
(NSTP). — Social Media awareness must be made part of the National Service Training

Program (NSTP), particularly in the service components pertaining to the Literacy Training
Service (LTS) and the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS).

SEC. 5. Contribution of the Private Sector in Social Media Awareness. ~ Private
corporations must formulate and implement effective measures and/or policies in relation to
the responsible, fair and truthful utilization and enjoyment of various types of Social Media.
Private corporations must likewise promote the foregoing as part of their respective Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR).

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The DepEd, CHED, the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and SEC, in consultation with the

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), shall jointly formulate
the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within sixty (60) days from the approval of
this Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not affected thereby shall remain
in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, or rules and regulations which
are inconsistent or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or repealed
accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,