Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
INCORPORATING THE VALUE OF RESPONSIBLE, FAIR USAGE, AND 
ENJOYMENT OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN EDUCATION CURRICULA 
NATIONWIDE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
With the rapid advancement of information and communications 
technology, along with the widespread availability of mobile devices and 
public access to Wi-Fi and mobile data, Filipinos have become the most active 
internet users globally.  
In 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that more than half 
of the Filipino households1 or more than 87 million had access to the internet. 
Filipinos also rank among the highest in the Asia-Pacific region for time spent 
online, averaging more than eight and a half hours daily, primarily on social 
networking, sharing photos and videos.  
While 
the 
internet 
offers 
significant 
opportunities 
for 
youth 
development- such as easy access to information and educational resources- 
there are also serious risks. These include exposure to online predators, 
cyberbullying, and privacy violations, especially among children and 
teenagers. 
The 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that the State prioritize 
education, science, and technology, to foster social progress and protect the 
well-being of the youth, encouraging their active involvement in nation-
building (Sections 17 and 13, Article II). This bill aims to respond to these 
1 Philippine Statistics Authority (2023) 
August 12, 2025
9:44 am
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mandates by promoting safe, responsible, and effective use of social media 
among Filipino students. It seeks to empower them to participate 
meaningfully in public discourse and develop critical thinking skills in 
navigating present and future digital platforms.  
 In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS 
Fifth District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
INCORPORATING THE VALUE OF RESPONSIBLE, FAIR USAGE, AND 
ENJOYMENT OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN EDUCATION CURRICULA 
NATIONWIDE, 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 
Education Act.”  
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State has constitutionally-declared 
policies to serve and protect the people, to give priority to education to foster 
patriotism and nationalism, and to recognize the vital role of communication 
and information in nation building. Towards this end, it is the objective of 
this Act to adapt to the mercurial rise of the influence and prevalence of use 
of Social Media by inculcating in the youth and for students the virtues of 
discernment and critical thinking in their unavoidable daily immersion in 
social media. 
SECTION 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. To inculcate how various types of Social Media aid in the effective and
efficient dissemination of information;
b. To inculcate how Social Media helps in shaping public discourse and
opinion;
c. To inculcate how Social Media helps in fostering a more participative
democracy;
d. To inculcate the importance of upholding truth and the veracity of
facts, figures, and events in Social Media;
e. To inculcate responsible and fair use of Social Media; and
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f. To inculcate the virtues of discernment and critical thinking in the use 
and/or enjoyment of Social Media. 
 
The Department of Education (DepEd), in consultation with the Department 
of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), shall immediately 
formulate the necessary steps and measures to achieve the objectives of this 
Section. 
 
SECTION 4. Social Media Awareness as part of the National Service 
Training Program (NSTP). – Social Media Awareness shall be made part of 
the National Service Training Program (NSTP), particularly in the service 
components pertaining to the Literacy Training Service and the Civic Welfare 
Training Service (CWTS). 
 
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education 
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in consultation with the DICT, 
shall immediately formulate the necessary steps and measures to achieve the 
objectives or this Section. 
 
SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DepEd shall, in 
consultation with CHED, TESDA, and DICT, promulgate the necessary rules 
and regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act: 
Provided, That the failure of the concerned agencies to promulgate the said 
rules and regulations shall not prevent the implementation of this Act upon 
its effectivity. 
 
SECTION 6. Non-Impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or 
made available to disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under 
existing laws. 
 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any part of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall 
continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with or 
contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, modified or 
repealed accordingly. 
 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,