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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

35

HOUSE BILL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This legislative measure seeks to institutionalize intemet safety and media literacy
education in all basic education institutions in the country. Given the rapid digitalization of society,
it is therefore imperative that students are equipped with the proper knowledge and skills to
navigate the digital landscape responsibly and safely. The bill mandates the Department of
Education (DepEd) to develop and implement an Internet Safety Education Program which
incorporates research-based, age-appropriate learning materials, professional teacher training and
public awareness campaigns. It shall also promote parental education to help families in guiding
their children in using digital media responsibly.

In today’s digital age, the Philippines stands as one of the most active countries in social
media. As of 2025, there are approximately 89.8 million social media users in the country.
Filipinos aged 16 and above spend an average of 3 hours and 32 minutes daily on social media
platforms, ranking us fourth in terms of usage in the world. This pervasive integration of social
media into our daily lives underscores the necessity for comprehensive education on internet safety
and media literacy. While the digital shift has provided us with various opportunities, it has also
greatly exposed children and adolescents to significant risks like cyberbullying, misinformation,
security breaches and online exploitation.

By embedding internet safety and media literacy into the curriculum, the measure shall
empower students to critically assess the media they consume and engage in responsible digital
behavior. It shall also foster a more informed and secure digital community where the youth can
maximize the benefits of digital media and minimize the potential risks associated with it.


With the nation’s reliance on digital platforms, it is therefore the responsibility of the
government to ensure that all Filipinos, especially members of the youth, are protected for the
challenges of the digital age. This piece of legislation is a necessary step toward building a safer,
more responsible and well-informed digital society.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Lone District, Muntinlupa City


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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
3

HOUSE BILL NO. 3

Introduced by Rep. Jaime R. Fresnedi

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A SAFETY INTERNET EDUCATION PROGRAM IN THE
CURRICULUM OF ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

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 “Internet Safety Education
Act.”

Sec. 2. Internet Safety Education Program (ISEP). - The Department of Education
(DepEd) shall, within (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, formulate, develop and
implement an ISEP. The ISEP shall be a research-based program that encourages safe, ethical
and responsible use of the Internet, promote an informed and critical understanding of the
Internet and educate children and communities about how to prevent or respond to problems
or dangers related to the Internet or new media.

Sec. 3. Implementation. ~ In order to ensure the efficiency and effectivity of the ISEP,
the DepEd shall:

(a) Identify, develop and implement an educational technology, multimedia and
interactive applications, online resources and lesson plans for ISEP;

(b) Provide professional training to elementary and secondary teachers, administrators
and other staff on intemet safety and New Media literacy. For the purposes of this
‘Act, New Media is defined as an emerging, digital, computerized or network
informed and communication technologies that often have interactive capacities.
This includes email, instant messaging, text messaging, websites, blogs,
interactive gaming, social media, cellphones and mobile devices.

(c) Develop online risk prevention programs for children;
(d) Train and support peer-driven intemet safety education initiatives;

(e) Coordinate and fund research initiatives that investigate online risks to promote
awareness of online risks to children and intemet safety education;


(© Develop and implement public education campaigns to promote awareness of
online risks to children and internet safety education;

(g) Educate parents about teaching their children to use the internet and new media
safely, responsibly and ethically and help parents identify and protect their
children from risks relating to use of the internet and new media; and

(h) The Secretary shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act,
promulgate rules and regulations, including those of disciplinary nature, to carry
out and enforce the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 4. Appropriations. - The initial amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act, shall be charged against the current budget of the DepEd. Thereafter, the amount
necessary for the continuous implementation of this program shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 5. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision or section of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions and sections not affected thereby shall remain in full
force and effect.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders or
issuances or any part thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,