SP Gatchalian pushes social media ban for minors

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian pushed for his proposed social media ban for minors, expressing concern over the effects of violent online content that may have influenced the two minors behind the deadly school shooting in Tacloban City.

- By MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB

Speaking to dzBB yesterday, Gatchalian renewed his call for the passage of the proposed Social Media Safety for Children Act, which seeks to prohibit social media use for children below 16 years old.

He said excessive social media use has made children more vulnerable to online sexual abuse and exploitation and more prone to violent behavior, and has adversely affected their mental health.

“Many countries are doing this, the latest being the United Kingdom. The influence of social media on children has become extremely strong. Many young people become addicted to social media and violent games, and many studies have shown that these can influence their thinking,” Gatchalian said.

"That is why mental health cases among our youth are now very high.

Many are taking their own lives, while others engage in violent acts. This is one of the measures that I am personally pushing so our youth will not be negatively influenced," he added.

Gatchalian expressed alarm over reports that the 14-year-old suspect had played the online shooting game GoreBox before going on a shooting rampage at San Jose National High School, where three students were killed and 20 others wounded.