MTRCB, Netflix Promote Responsible Viewing and Parenting in the Digital Age

THE Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), under the leadership of Chairperson and CEO Lala Sotto, collaborated with Netflix to host “Stream Smarter: Responsible Parenting in the Age of Digital Media” on October 2, 2025 held at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.

Attended by more than 100 parents, advocates, educators and industry stakeholders, the event aims to empower parents and guardians in guiding children to become responsible consumers of digital content and to ensure a safe and enriching streaming experience for Filipino families.

In her remarks, Sotto reaffirmed MTRCB’s long-standing mandate to protect children, empower parents and promote responsible viewing, while adapting to new challenges brought by digital media.

“We remain committed to promoting and strengthening media literacy, digital responsibility, and parental empowerment, helping families make informed choices in the digital age,” said Sotto.

She also introduced PROTECT, part of the Board’s Responsableng Panonood flagship campaign, which provides parents with a simple framework to guide their children’s media use; from setting screen time limits and co-viewing, to teaching media literacy and modeling responsible consumption.

Netflix Global Affairs Southeast Asia Director Ruben Hattari emphasized their commitment to this advocacy.

“In support of MTRCB’s Responsableng Panonood (Responsible Viewing) campaign, our Stream Smarter initiative serves as a timely reminder that parents, educators, industry leaders, online safety advocates and government partners each have a role to help ensure families are equipped to make informed and responsible choices in today’s digital age,” said Hattari.

The event included a panel discussion titled “From Screen Time to Smart Time,” featuring representatives from the MTRCB, Netflix, Stairway Foundation, Safe Schools Philippines and the National Council for Children’s Television.

The discussion addressed topics such as parental controls, content classification and collaborative approaches to making digital media a safe and enriching space for Filipino families.

“Parenting in the digital era presents both opportunities and challenges, but through collective effort, we can turn screen time into smart time for our Filipino children,” said Sotto.

“We are deeply grateful to the MTRCB for being a trusted partner in this journey. It reflects what can be achieved when government and industry share the same vision, and work hand in hand to empower parents and protect children in the digital space,” added Hattari.

(ROHN ROMULO)