Sen. Bam Aquino has rejected calls for an outright ban on video games for minors following the fatal school shooting in Zamboanga City, saying the government should instead tighten the enforcement of age restrictions on mature-rated games and restrict minors’ access to harmful online chat groups.
Aquino, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, said video games should be subject to stronger age controls similar to those imposed on movies and television programs.
“There’s an age restriction on movies and television shows. We need to look at stronger age restrictions pagdating sa violent games,” Aquino said.
He also proposed penalties for game developers and parents who allow children to access games classified for mature audiences.
“Kung may mga bata na may access tapos iyong game is rated mature, mali iyon. Dapat may penalties iyon. Either doon sa developer, doon sa bata mismo, o maging sa parents,” he said.
Aquino cited studies disputing claims that video games cause violent behavior. He said authorities should pay closer attention to online chat groups that could expose minors to violent, extremist, or other harmful content.
“It’s the chat groups. It’s the lack of controls pagdating sa infiltration ng chat groups,” he said.
Aquino said proposed restrictions on minors’ social media use should also cover chat groups and pages where children may encounter harmful content.
“If we want to be successful dito sa ating gustong gawin, kailangan umabot doon iyong mga reporma,” he said.
Aquino has filed Senate Bill No. 2299, or the proposed Digital Safety for Minors Act, which would prohibit children below 15 from accessing social media platforms.
The measure is intended to address concerns over the effects of excessive social media use on children’s mental health and their exposure to harmful online material.
He is also pushing Senate Bill No. 2390, or the proposed Comprehensive School Safety Act, following school shooting incidents in Tacloban City and Zamboanga City.
The bill would require schools to strengthen security through additional closed-circuit television cameras, guards or other security personnel, trained volunteers, metal detectors, and protocols for inspecting bags and detecting weapons.
Schools would also be required to adopt localized versions of a National School Safety Framework setting out procedures before, during, and after violent incidents.
Aquino, vice chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, said Congress could provide funding for the security equipment and other measures required under the bill.
“It’s a matter of political will. Kung nais natin mapondohan ito, mapopondohan natin ito,” he said.
