Senator Hontiveros seeks probe into online gaming platforms over child safety risks

Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 357, calling for a Senate investigation into online gaming platforms to address growing concerns over child safety, including sexual exploitation, grooming, and violent radicalization.

The resolution urges the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality to conduct an inquiry aimed at establishing mandatory age verification protocols and stronger child protection standards.

This follows a recent case in the Calabarzon region where authorities intervened after minors allegedly planned a school attack influenced by interactions within online gaming environments.

Hontiveros highlighted that popular platforms allow real-time communication without reliable identity verification.

She noted that, “Current systems largely rely on self-declared age, which is inadequate to protect minors from online predators and harmful content.”

Despite safeguards under Republic Act No. 11930, the Philippines continues to face threats related to the Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).

The senator cited findings from local and international investigations showing that offenders have used gaming platforms and chat features to contact children, build trust, and eventually move conversations to private channels for exploitation.

The Philippines continues to face persistent threats related to online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), despite existing safeguards under Republic Act No. 11930.

The proposed inquiry seeks to assess these risks and recommend policies that balance child protection with digital innovation and privacy, drawing on enhanced age verification models used in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.

“These developments show that stronger safeguards are both feasible and increasingly becoming the global standard,” she said.

The proposed Senate inquiry aims to assess the risks posed by online gaming platforms and recommend policies that balance child protection, digital innovation, and user privacy.

Hontiveros emphasized that the goal is not to ban gaming, but to ensure companies exercise a duty of care toward Filipino children.

The resolution also advocates for improved digital literacy, responsible gaming education, and measures to address the mental health effects of excessive gaming.

-Paraluman News