Raising digitally mature children: Data privacy for the next generation

The toothpaste is out of the tube. Once personal data hits the internet, there is no going back.

- AMICUS CURIAE CLARISSE PAULINA M. VALDECANTOS-JAVELOSA

Children today grow up leaving permanent traces with every like, post, and DM, often unaware of how much of themselves they have exposed. To shield children, lawmakers have taken decision-making out of their hands and placed them in the care of adults. The assumption is that children lack the understanding to have a say.

However, we often underestimate them. Children's abilities are constantly evolving, and today's average 10-year-old knows Instagram and TikTok like the palm of their hand. Children nowadays possess the knowledge and more; what they need is guidance so that they can develop the judgment to make informed decisions about data privacy matters.

The foundation of these protections is the principle of transparency. As data subjects and rights holders, children are entitled to information on how their personal data is collected, processed, and used.

PHL DATA PRIVACY LAWS FOR CHILDREN

In December 2024, the National Privacy Commission took a leap forward by issuing Advisory No. 2024-03, also known as Guidelines on Child-Oriented Transparency.