FACT CHECK: Marcos’ ‘Rejection’ Of A Kids’ Online Safety Act Bill Is False, Misleading

Claim: TikTok videos claim President Marcos rejected a certain Kids Online Safety or KOSA Bill, which would “delete” social media, and allow parents to see their child’s chats, search histories, and “everything.”

The videos were meant to celebrate the “rejection,” with users placing their text over internet memes or K-Pop idols’ performances to express their relief.

Rating: False, Misleading

Facts: While the KOSA Bill exists, it is being proposed in the United States. It was first introduced by US Senators Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn in February 2022 and was reintroduced in the country’s 118th Congress last May.

The bill aims to “protect minors from online harms,” and would be strict on online platforms that minors are likely to use, such as social media. Covered platforms are required to mitigate harms that arise from continued usage, such as suicidal behavior, bullying, sexual abuse and scams.

Covered platforms are required to limit their features to discourage extended usage, along with content minors can interact with. Highest privacy settings should also be default for minors’ accounts.

Parents are also empowered by the bill. Platforms are required to provide access to their child’s privacy settings, the ability to restrict purchases, and to view their screen time on that platform.

Additionally, platforms are mandated to notify, or attempt to notify parents about “certain information” about their child’s account.

An age verification system shall also be implemented following a study on the “most technologically feasible” options in developing a system.

No similar bill has been filed before the Philippine Senate or the House of Representatives. Last July 2022, Republic Act No. 11930 lapsed into law. This is the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Law where minors are protected against online sexual exploitation regardless of consent.

In the past, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, and former senator Manny Pacquiao also filed their versions for a “Child Internet Safety Protection Act.”

Under these bills, commercial establishments and schools should offer “clean feed” internet service using software to users below 18 years of age. The government would be responsible in disseminating and increasing household access to the same softwares used.

Internet service providers (ISPs) are also tasked to ensure “internet access accounts” are not provided to minors without parental consent. ISPs will also provide the filtering software which will be prescribed and approved by a Child Internet Safety Council (CISC).

Why it matters: At least two celebratory posts have garnered more than one million views on TikTok. While some debunk the claim, most comments still praise Marcos for supposedly rejecting the bill, which does not exist in the Philippines.

“He (Marcos) knows and (understands) the word PRIVACY that our parents don't,” one comment read.

“Exactly why I (voted) this man!!!!!” said another.

In a discussion on Reddit’s Philippine subreddit, one user claimed they are trying to convince their classmate who tends to fall for TikTok’s disinformation that the bill was not filed before Philippine Congress.

“My classmate believes every (TikTok) video she sees so I am using EVERYTHING AS A PROOF THAT THE KOSA BILL IS ONLY IN THE UNITED STATES OF (AMERICA),” the netizen wrote.

TikTok has been found to be an emerging news source. In the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2023, the Philippines had one of the highest TikTok usages at 42 percent, with 21 percent saying they use it to access news.