All NewsEducationTV
Equities & FundsCrypto & Digital AssetsAI & TechnologyBusiness & CorporateUS Politics & PolicyGeopolitics & Global RiskMacro, Rates & FXCommodities & EnergyEuropean Politics & MarketsAsia-PacificReal Estate & Property
All NewsHome
← Back to US Politics & Policy

Meta, Roblox agree to child-safety measures sought by Philippines

Created at 27 Aug · 3:03 PM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

Meta and Roblox have agreed to enhance child-safety measures for Philippine users, including age verification and faster content takedowns, following meetings with government officials. The commitments come a day after Meta settled with U.S. states over claims of harming children.

Key Numbers

$18 billionMeta settlement over harm to children
10 yearsMeta settlement payment period

Who's Involved

Henry Aguda
Philippine Information and Communications Technology Secretary
Meta
Social media company agreeing to child-safety measures
Roblox
Gaming platform agreeing to child-safety measures

↳ Why This Matters

The agreements signal a growing global focus on child safety on digital platforms, with major tech companies facing increased scrutiny and regulatory pressure worldwide. This could lead to more stringent online protections for minors and potentially impact how these platforms operate in various jurisdictions.

Key facts

  • Meta and Roblox have agreed to implement enhanced child-safety measures for Philippine users.
  • These measures include age verification, parental controls, and expedited removal of harmful content.
  • The companies also committed to closer cooperation with Philippine law enforcement.
  • Roblox plans to open an office in the Philippines by October, while Meta will send a team to discuss expanding its presence.
  • The agreement follows a significant settlement by Meta in the U.S. concerning harm to teenage users.

Meta and gaming platform Roblox have agreed to bolster child-safety protections for users in the Philippines, according to Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda. The enhanced measures include age verification, parental controls, quicker removal of harmful content, and increased cooperation with law enforcement.

These commitments were formalized during recent meetings in Singapore between Philippine officials and executives from both companies. Aguda indicated that Roblox intends to establish a Philippine office as early as October, while Meta plans to dispatch a team to Manila to discuss expanding its local presence.

The agreement with the Philippines comes just a day after Meta reached a settlement in the United States, agreeing to pay up to $18 billion over the next decade and implement new safeguards for teenage users, such as usage limits and stronger age-assurance measures, to resolve claims that its platforms harmed children.

Philippine lawmakers are currently considering additional measures to protect minors online, including potential restrictions or bans on children's access to social media. Both Meta and Roblox have indicated their willingness to cooperate with legislators as these policy discussions progress.

Frequently asked questions

They have agreed to implement age verification, parental controls, faster takedowns of harmful content, and closer cooperation with law enforcement.

The commitments were made during meetings between Philippine officials and company executives in Singapore.

Roblox aims to establish a Philippine office as early as October.

The agreement with the Philippines came a day after Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion and impose new safeguards for teenage users in the U.S. to settle claims of harming children.

What Happens Next

01Meta will send a team to Manila to discuss expanding its presence.
02Roblox aims to establish a Philippine office as early as October.
03Philippine lawmakers will continue to consider measures to tighten online protections for minors.

How It Developed

Meta and Roblox agreed to strengthen child-safety protections for Philippine users.
Measures include age-verification, parental controls, faster takedowns of harmful content, and closer cooperation with law enforcement.
Commitments were made during meetings between Philippine officials and Meta/Roblox executives in Singapore.
Roblox aims to establish a Philippine office by October.
Meta will send a team to Manila to discuss expanding its presence.
Meta previously agreed to pay up to $18 billion and impose new safeguards for teenage users in the U.S.
Philippine lawmakers are considering measures to tighten online protections for minors.
Meta and Roblox agreed to engage with legislators as Congress considers online safety measures.

Sources

T1
Meta, Roblox agree to child-safety measures sought by Philippines, minister saysReuters

Related Stories

UK expects Meta to match US child safety measures after $18bn settlement
27 Aug · 10:41 AM
South Korea regulator urges Meta to apply youth protection measures globally
27 Aug · 6:46 AM
Hong Kong parents to get alerts over teens’ self-harm searches on Instagram
27 Aug · 12:36 PM
Meta's $18bn child safety settlement may signal broader reckoning for social media
27 Aug · 1:16 AM
Brazil sues Discord for $97 million over alleged failures to protect children
26 Aug · 8:13 PM