Senator Bam Aquino said on Thursday (Aug. 20) there is a need to impose age restrictions on video games following the latest school shooting.
“There’s an age restriction on movies and television shows,” said Aquino who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
“We need to look at stronger age restrictions pagdating sa violent games,” he pointed out.
Aquino said game developers and parents should be penalized for allowing children access to games with age restrictions.
“Kung may mga bata na may access tapos iyong game is rated mature, mali iyon. Dapat may penalties iyon,” said Aquino.
On the other hand, the senator said video games should not be blamed for school violence.
“It’s the chat groups. It’s the lack of controls pagdating sa infiltration ng chat groups,” stressed the lawmaker.
Because of this, Aquino urged fellow lawmakers to pass his proposed legislation under Senate Bill No. 2299, also known as the proposed Digital Safety for Minors Act which will prohibit minors under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms.
Apart from this proposed measure, Aquino is also pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 2390, also called the proposed Comprehensive School Safety Act.
The bill would strengthen school security through measures such as additional closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, security guards or personnel, security volunteers, metal detectors, and protocols for checking bags and weapons.
