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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES & ECE nro
Quezon City =

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Bill No. 3114

House

Introduced by Representative ROSANNA “RIA” V. VERGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Truly, the internet has opened a whole new dimension of accessing
information, of connecting and interacting with other people, and of expressing and
entertaining oneself, unbound by the limitations of space and time.

Inasmuch as the internet offers novel advantages, it also inadvertently brings
with it certain evils such as fraud, pornography, bullying, gambling and addiction to
online and/or computer gaming. More recently, the proliferation of “fake news” and
other types of misinformation circulating online have also been alarming and,
unfortunately, it appears that it is often the youth that succumb to its seemingly
innocuous yet pernicious magnetism resulting in dire personal, social, and economic
consequences to the victims and their families

In order to avert an impending crisis and to assist and support parents’ efforts
in rearing their children for civic efficiency and in the development of their
intellectual, spiritual, and moral character, this bill seeks to integrate Internet and
Social Media Education in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools. This
measure aims to instruct and educate school-age children to the responsible and
prudent use of the internet and social media platforms so that they may truly benefit
from its advantages and avoid the dangers and risks arising from the uninformed and.
unregulated use thereof.

The task of addressing and preventing these problems related to the internet
and social media is an exigency that nceds the comprehensive and concerted efforts
of the State and all concerned sectors. Systematic education of the youth while they

are young is a proper first step.

The early adoption of this measure is thus earnestly requested.

ROSANNA “RIA” V. VERGARA
Representative, 3rd District of Nueva Ecija


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3114

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative ROSANNA “RIA” V. VERGARA

AN ACT TO INTEGRATE
INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA EDUCATION
AS PART OF THE CURRICULUM OF ALL
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

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

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “INTERNET AND SOCIAL
MEDIA EDUCATION ACT”

Section 2, Declaration of Policy. ~ It is the policy of the State to:

a. Promote and protect the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and
social well-being of the youth in recognition of the vital role they play in nation-
building;

b. Support the primary right and duty of parents in rearing the youth for
civic efficiency and the development of their moral character through education;

c. Give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and
sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote
total human liberation and development;

d. Support and strengthen communication and information, recognizing
their vital role of in nation-building; and

e. ‘Therefore, to instruct and educate the youth in the proper and prudent
use of the internet and social media in order to emotionally and intellectually
empower them to maximize the opportunities and benefits they may derived from
these, as well as to counter the various dangers and risks arising from their
uninformed and unregulated use.


Section 3. Mandatory Internet and Social Media Education Coverage. - All primary
and secondary schools, public and private, shall be required to integrate Internet and
Social Media Education in their curriculum, specifically on the proper use of the
internet and social media, the benefits of prudent use, and the harmful effects of
unregulated access and use.

Section 4. Course Design. - The Department of Education (DepEd), in
consultation with the Department of Information and Communications Technology,
shall integrate Internet and Social Media Education in the primary and secondary
schools’ curriculum framework and develop appropriate grade-level-specific content
matrix.

Online gaming and gambling addiction specific lessons shall be introduced and
discussed from Grade three (3) to Senior High School.

Section 5. Teacher Training. - The DepEd, in consultation with the DICT, shall
train and equip public school teachers with the necessary information, skills, and
competency in delivering effective Internet and Social Media Education. DepEd
formulated training modules and DepEd sponsored training sessions shall be made
available to private school teachers free of charge.

Section 6. Capacity Building for Parents. - DepEd shall endeavor to empower
parents in the formation of their children by making available information, resources,
seminars or trainings as to the proper and prudent use of the internet and social media.
For this purpose, the DepEd shall coordinate with the parent-teachers associations as
partners in such capacity-building efforts.

Section 7. Transitory Provisions. The course shall be integrated in the primary
and secondary school curriculum in the next academic year following the approval of
this Act. In the interim, DepEd shall commence the development of the course
modules and the training of teaching personnel responsible for its execution.

Section 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
this Act shall be sourced from the yearly funds appropriated for the DepEd.

Section 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the
other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 10. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees or rules inconsistent with this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers

of general circulation.

Approved,

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