WE ARE all captives of the telcos and their ISPs. They fail to implement Section 9 of Republic Act 11930 that requires them to install robust, state-of-the-art technology, programs, or software to filter and block access to child sexual abuse or exploitation materials.
What does the nation want their children to experience when they play soul-crushing games full of bloodshed?
It’s better to nurture children’s minds and hearts and promote positive, value-forming video games that give hope, inspiration and knowledge; build their players’ self-confidence; and empower them with virtues and values while being full of fun.
Playing violent video games has also offered a virtual escape from childhood abuse and bullying. A United Nations Children’s Fund report says children in the Philippines continue to experience alarmingly high levels of violence, abuse and exploitation, which are heavily amplified by online platforms.
The Philippine Social Science Council has cited recent data showing there are systemic violations of children’s rights at home, including violent discipline and sexual abuse. Online bullying, cyberviolence, and even child labor remain deeply entrenched. All of these issues need full attention.
Common sense will tell us that constantly shooting and stabbing people dead online must have some negative emotional and psychological effects on both adults and children. While experts emphasize that playing violent video games does not automatically cause a child to become a killer, social media and gaming algorithms are heavily blamed for gang violence on the streets.
These algorithms repeatedly serve graphic, violent and aggressive content to minors. This desensitizes children and normalizes violence and lethal aggression. Don’t be surprised that there are so many school shootings in the United States.
Research referenced by Harvard Health and the National Center for Health Research shows studies establishing violent video games as a risk factor for aggression. It confirms that playing them can increase aggressive thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and decrease empathy.
But other studies show that real-world severe violence is driven by family history, genetic predisposition, mental illness, abusive environments, peer delinquency, and access to weapons. Video games, they say, do not serve as a primary catalyst for criminal actions.
Children get involved in criminal activity mostly because of neglect, cruelty, hunger, bullying and physical and sexual abuse by adults. They are children with urgent needs.
Criminalizing children by lowering the age of criminal responsibility is not a solution. They need help, not punishment and more cruelty.
Acceptance, positive reinforcement, support, understanding, education, therapy and moral values taught by a caring adult will help them grow and change. This writer has seen many hundreds of young people in conflict with the law start anew through the work of the Preda Foundation, from the time of its establishment in 1974 to the present.
What does the nation want their children to virtually experience: violent and gory games, or inspiring, educational, value-forming and character-building games?
That decision lies with the government, as well as every parent and child./PN
