NEW DICT CHIEF: ONLINE NIHILISTIC VIOLENT EXTREMISM IS A ‘CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER’ WATCH: Newly appointed Information and Communications Technology Secretary Robert Joseph de Claro vows to prioritize efforts to combat online nihilistic violent extremism, describing it as a “clear and present danger.” De Claro says his agency will review policies to address online violence following directives from President Bongbong Marcos. However, he has yet to take a clear position on the proposed social media ban for minors. | @TristanNodalo

SENATE APPROVES SMART KIDS ACT RESTRICTING SOCIAL MEDIA USE BY MINORS WATCH: The Senate has approved on final reading Senate Bill 2424, or the proposed Safe Media Access and Responsible Technology for Kids in Digital Spaces (SMART KIDS) Act, which seeks to prohibit children below 18 from creating or maintaining social media accounts. The measure was passed Thursday, Oct. 8, with 16 senators voting in favor, one against, and no abstentions. Senator Risa Hontiveros cast the lone dissenting vote. Under the bill, government IDs would be used for age verification, but platforms would not be allowed to retain copies. Senator Robinhood Padilla, who sponsored the bill, said it is a step toward strengthening protections for children and establishing safeguards for high-risk digital services. | @TristanNodalo