Solon seeks social media regulation, franchise after student violence

Manila 3rd district Representative Joel Chua is pushing for the strict regulation of social media platforms and possibly requiring them to secure a franchise for their operations, following the recent violent incidents involving minors.

"Dapat yung pag-aralan na at i-regulate na rin yan. Ito actually concerted effort ito ng gobyerno at saka ng private sector, lalong-lalong na yung mga kabataan, yung mga magulang, ang eskwelahan, malaki ang magiging papel ng bawat isa," Chua said in an online interview today.

(We should already be studying this and putting regulations in place. This requires a concerted effort by both the government and the private sector. More importantly, the youth, parents, and schools all have a major role to play.)

When asked if it was time to require social media platforms to secure a franchise like mainstream media, Chua replied, "Panahon na. Dahil kung wala, nakikita natin... Dahil ito, hindi ang usapin dito, hindi lamang yung sa gobyerno. Ang usapin na rin dito, yung moralidad na naidudulot nito sa mga kabataan."

(It's time. If we don't, we can already see what is happening. This is not just an issue for the government anymore. It's also about the effect it has on the morality of young people.)

He also clarified that, "Hindi naman natin isu-suppress yung social media. Ang isu-suppress natin, yung laman."

(We're not trying to suppress social media. What we're seeking to regulate is its content.)

Chua attributed the involvement of minors in violent incidents to the erosion of moral values.

"Dahil lahat naman itong mga values na ito, natututunan ito simula pagkabata. Pero kung ang nakikita natin mismo, yung mga matatanda, mga magulang natin, ang mga iniidolo, yung mga barumbado, mga wala na sa ayos, malala ang magiging problema natin. Dahil yung inaasahan natin na magturo sa mga anak natin, eh sila mismo ay mukhang hindi na rin nila alam kung ano ang tamang asal," he explained.

(All of these values are learned from childhood. But if what children see are adults, parents, and even the people they look up to behaving like bullies or acting improperly, we'll face a much bigger problem. The very people we expect to teach our children are beginning to lose sight of what proper behavior is.)

There have been calls to lower the age of criminal responsibility after reports of shooting and stabbing incidents involving students.

But Chua opposed this.

"Sa akin po kasi, wala 'tong kinalaman sa edad. Sa akin po, ang nagiging problema na po natin dito is yung ating moral values, yung ating moral compass," he added. (This has nothing to do with age, but with moral values.)

Chua called on government officials to be circumspect in their actions and pronouncements.

"Bilang mga leader, dapat medyo naghihinay-hinay rin kami. Dahil yung mga ganitong binibitawan naming pananalita, yung mga pagbabanta namin, yung mga nanonood dito, yung mga kabataan. So baka mamaya, ang akala ng mga kabataan ay tama at normal ang magmura, ang pumatay, ang magbanta," he said.

(As leaders, we must also be more restrained. Young people are watching the language we use and the threats we make. They may come to believe that using profane language, killing, or making threats is normal and acceptable behavior.)—LDF, GMA News