OPINION | A shortlived ban on Discord in the Philippines

Wargamer Jake here, and I’m excited to share my thoughts with you all today.

The last few weeks have been quite eventful, as I got to read the comments and news articles circulating on social media regarding the recent discussions about the Philippine government considering banning various platforms. This situation arose due to a series of tragic school shootings that occurred in different parts of the Philippines, with the first incident taking place in Leyte. It’s a grim reality that these events mirror the school shootings we often hear about in America or other countries around the world. We Filipinos have always held the belief that we are fortunate to have been spared from such violence, until the Leyte school shootings happened, which triggered a disturbing series of "systematic patterns" of school shootings and threats across the nation.

In the wake of these events, some cabinet secretaries have pointed fingers at "ROBLOX," while others have shifted the blame towards gaming platforms in general. There are those who specifically target shooting games like "Counter Strike" and "Valorant" as culprits. The discussions have escalated to the point where there are serious talks about potentially banning gaming platforms and social media altogether, either one by one or in a sweeping manner. I can’t help but recall the historical context of this issue. Back in the 1980s, during the martial law era, President Marcos Sr. issued letters of instruction that banned video games and anime, including popular titles like "Voltes V." A friend of mine, who is now in her 60s, reminisced during our occasional lunches that it was considered one of the best things that happened back then. (By the way, she is the daughter of a university president and cabinet secretary, and she actively participated in the People Power Revolution that ultimately removed Marcos Sr. from power, leading to the reintroduction of video games and anime in the Philippines.) 

Just last Friday, there was breaking news about a social media platform facing a ban. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) of the Philippine Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) issued a ban on Discord, which sent shockwaves through the Filipino public. However, within just 24 hours, the CICC lifted the ban and issued an apology. This rapid turnaround left many users in a frenzy, with some expressing their anger and frustration over the decision, as the application is widely used for work, gaming, and staying updated with news and current events.

Yes, child security is of utmost importance. In the Philippines, it is constitutionally mandated that every child should not be denied their human rights, education, and overall stability and security. However, rather than resorting to outright bans on social media and gaming platforms, there must be alternative approaches to consider. The government should engage in negotiations with social media platform officials to implement stricter measures aimed at enhancing child security while using these platforms. It is alarmingly easy to verify a social media account with just an email address and phone number. In contrast, some social media platforms in America have adopted stricter measures, such as age verification and identity verification processes. Surely, other countries have implemented similar strategies to safeguard their youth.

Furthermore, the government should take proactive steps to address video games, such as educating the youth about age-appropriate video games, regulating the gaming industry, and, if deemed necessary, restricting access to violent and erotic video games based on the ratings provided by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and Pan-European Game Information (PEGI). It’s crucial that they take a closer look at the ESRB and PEGI ratings as a basis for regulating video games, similar to how the MTRCB has established ratings for television shows and movies. Perhaps they could even consider setting up a dedicated regulatory board to oversee these matters.

I have to admit, in today’s world, it’s hard to imagine living without social media and gaming. Yes, we may need social media to connect with friends and family, and gaming serves as a beloved pastime for many. However, it’s essential for social media platforms to limit their discussions to topics such as life achievements, gaming, and work-related matters. There should be no room for political debates, nihilistic violence, or any form of scams and harmful content.