What MTRCB, streaming networks bank on to help monitor kids’ viewing habits

MTRCB chair Lala Sotto-Antonio

There is a need to revisit and amend the law that created the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to include coverage of online streaming providers, according to MTRCB chief Diorella Maria “Lala” Sotto-Antonio.

The Presidential Decree (PD) of 1986 was created in October 1985, at a time when there was no internet yet, Antonio pointed out. “[It’s already 2023], so, as a parent, I feel that it needed a lot of attention. Since we want to do everything in a legal manner, we tried to learn as much as we could about it, and the research led us to where we are today—to partnering with subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) companies,” she told reporters during a recent Zoom meeting.

The MTRCB first announced its partnership with SVOD giant Netflix under its “Responsableng Panonood” program in October 2022. Antonio said the agency and Netflix “share a common goal, which is for the right content to reach the correct age group across platforms such as smart TV, web-based and mobile devices.”

As part of the agreement, Netflix will promote the use of in-app parental controls, which allow users to place a PIN code and designate a “kids’ account” for young viewers.

Antonio also reported that when the “Responsableng Panonood” program was formally launched in December, Netflix representatives were also there to participate. “They were able to show their classification and ratings system to the MTRCB. We also shared ours with them. Personally, I’m very conservative when it comes to classification and ratings, so I appreciate that they recognize and have been very respectful of the MTRCB,” Antonio began.

“We base our partnership on respect and on the feedback we get from the general viewing public. When there is a concern with a certain material, we present this to them and let them know that this is of great concern to us, that we are not comfortable with it and we hope that they take action,” she said. Antonio added that such an incident happened recently, “but I will not say anymore what movie or series that was.”

Family values

Antonio also reported that Netflix has been participating in the agency’s seminars, “by informing the parents of its parental control feature that not too many know of.”

“Part of the goal of the ‘Responsableng Panoonood’ program is to protect our children and for parents to be well aware of these parental control features and the safeguards that they can utilize to monitor the viewing practices and habits of their children. At the end of the day, the parents or supervising adults are the ones responsible for the viewing practices of their children,” she pointed out.

Antonio added that the MTRCB is currently meeting with the other streaming providers, “who have all been very cooperative. Everybody has been attending our Zoom meetings, since they’re based in Singapore and the United States. I can say that our dialogues were all very fruitful,” she reported.

She added the MTRCB has been encouraging these online streaming providers “to take note of the core Filipino family values that they should be considering before they exhibit their films or series here.”

Parent advocates

Another goal of the agency, said Antonio, is to create an MTRCB app that will serve as “a network where parents from different walks of life and sectors can air their concerns.”

She continued: “This is so that the MTRCB will be just one click on your phones. You can easily send us complaints, whether it be about a motion picture or a TV show.”

Antonio also proposed assigning “parent advocates,” or personalities who will help the agency promote the “Responsableng Panonood” program; as well as “parent deputies,” who will help in terms of monitoring movies and TV programs.

“I want the parents to be very involved in monitoring so that everybody would have a comfortable viewing experience—that’s the ultimate goal,” she said.

Going back to PD 1986, Antonio reported that she has already brought her concern for its need to be amended to lawmakers, both in Congress and the Senate. “They have expressed their support for it and, right now, we’re currently drafting recommendations for the amendment,” she announced.

However, Antonio pointed out, “We only recommend amendments of the charter that we feel would be necessary for us to fully execute our mandate. At the end of the day, it is up to our lawmakers to decide which ones they feel would be best.”