PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has expressed that proposals to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 12 years old require further careful study before any decision is made.
He emphasized the importance of consulting experts to fully understand the issue, particularly regarding how modern influences such as social media shape the behavior and mental development of young people.
The Chief Executive noted that it is not enough to look at the legal aspect alone; policymakers must also consider the underlying factors that affect a child’s capacity to distinguish right from wrong.
While he remains cautious about changing the minimum age of criminal liability, the President took a firm stance on another related matter: he fully supports prohibiting violent video games that contribute to children becoming desensitized to aggression and harmful acts.
Marcos stated that such content can normalize violence and negatively influence young minds, making regulation necessary to protect their well‑being. “I think we should ban them and we will ban them,” he declared, signaling that his administration is ready to enforce measures to limit children’s exposure to harmful digital content.
The President’s position reflects a balanced approach to addressing youth‑related issues, focusing both on evidence‑based policy and direct action against harmful influences. By calling for more research on the criminal responsibility proposal, he aims to ensure that any legal reform is fair, protective, and effective. Meanwhile, his commitment to restricting violent games highlights the government’s recognition of digital environments as key areas where safeguards are needed to guide children toward healthy and responsible development.
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