One of my managers has been gently nudging me to write an opinion piece, and I knew that it’s also part and parcel of the job. So I’ve been sending myself ideas that I could work on, until it was right in front of me. As I was working on the layout for the April 6, 2026 (feel free to get yourself a copy) print edition of the TecnNews section, the stories told another story.

At the top of the page was a story about the Philippines celebrating the 32nd anniversary of when the country first connected to the internet, written by our very own Bob Reyes. However, the two stories below it were about a law being passed to prohibit minors under the age of 16 from accessing social media, and the other story was about the ongoing and much-talked-about possible Roblox ban.

I thought it was ironic that while we were celebrating 32 years of being connected to the internet, there were also movements to restrict (to some degree) access to it.

And the reason for the prohibition?

Australia and Indonesia, among other countries, have enacted bans on social media for users under 16. Reasons for the ban include protecting the mental health and well-being of children and teenagers, as well as avoiding cyberbullying and minors being exposed to harmful content and online predators.

While the Roblox ban painted a scarier picture, children being lured by predators and being groomed by them to carry out unimaginable acts. Just last Feb. 2, the PNP rescued seven minors who were allegedly groomed to carry out a school shooting and burn down a school. This isn’t an isolated case, as Roblox has a number of ongoing cases, such as endangering and exploiting children.

On the other side of the sword, we cannot deny how much the internet has changed our lives for the better. Allowing for constant communication with family and friends abroad, building online communities that enact positive change, making work from home and online classes possible during the pandemic, providing online businesses a way and means to operate, and so much more.

It really is a double-edged sword.

In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan who stole fire from the gods of Olympus and gave it to humanity. This fire, in essence, was knowledge and technology. As punishment, Zeus condemened Prometheus to eternal punishment, he was bound to a rock, and everday an eagle was sent to eat his liver, and every night his liver would grow back, and this went on for eternity.

I couldn’t help but think that we were given a gift by Prometheus in the form of technology and the internet, but perhaps it is man’s innate nature to turn gifts and opportunities into something self-serving. And it doesn’t matter if the victims are innocent children needing guidance.

The evils that lurk on the internet are nothing new, and thus we must be consciously aware of them, and with that consciousness and awareness comes the responsibility to educate ourselves. Whether it is from learning to tell the difference between fake news and disinformation, to basic digital etiquette.

I’d like to think that we owe it to Prometheus, who is still being punished for giving us the gift of technology, that the least we can do is use the internet without causing harm to others. Of course, the responsibility doesn’t rest solely on us, consumers and users. Government agencies must also know their place and make sure to keep their constituents safe, and yes, that also includes the digital space. And no, threatening bans on platforms is not a solution, as users will just find ways to access them.

Platforms must also be held accountable to ensure user safety. Processes must be put in place to prevent abuse or harm.

Parents must also guide their children, whether or not there is a social media ban for minors. They should at least be aware of what their kids are scrolling through and what content they are consuming.

It really takes a village. Everyone must come together to ensure a safe digital space.

I know this is all wishful thinking, but I’d like to think that, even if man has a nature to abuse systems for personal gain, there is still that good nature in all of us, and even if those two opposing forces continue to struggle with each other. There is still hope, especially when the good side still wins, even if its once in a while.