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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bam Aquino opposes total ban on video games, pushes for strict age restriction

Bam Aquino opposes total ban on video games, pushes for strict age restriction

Published Jun 29, 2026 11:31 am

At A Glance

  • Instead of imposing a blanket ban on video games, Sen. Bam Aquino called for a stricter enforcement of age restrictions on mature-rated games, similar to existing rules for films and television programs.


Senator Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV on Monday, June 29 rejected Malacañang’s openness to restrict or ban violent video games following the school shooting in Tacloban City, saying they have become a convenient scapegoat whenever incidents of violence occur.

Aquino explained that numerous studies have found there’s no link between video games and school shootings, adding that video games, as an art form and entertainment medium, do not cause violent behavior.

The senator pointed out that video games have been existing in the past 50 years, and are always used as a convenient scapegoat everytime there are violent incidents happening.

“There are many studies done that say there is no correlation between video games and school shooting,” Aquino pointed out.

Instead of imposing a blanket ban on video games, the lawmaker called for stricter enforcement of age restrictions on mature-rated games, similar to existing rules for films and television programs.

“There are many games that are not meant for children. Maybe what we can clarify is if there is anything that can be stricter. Children's access to mature video games should be stricter,” Aquino said.

“For video game stores and online stores, our rules should be a little stricter when it comes to children and their access to mature video games,” he said.

“But banning video games in general or as a whole, I don't think that's a good solution to our problems,” he pointed out.

Aquino pointed out that parents play a critical role in monitoring their children whenever they use the internet, ensuring they are only exposed to age-appropriate content.

Likewise, game developers have a responsibility to make online gaming platforms safer especially those intended for children, by strengthening safeguards against online predators, extremist groups, and other harmful individuals.

“Because it's for children, the developers have a responsibility to monitor, check, and ban those predators or those people there who have bad intentions," he said.

Earlier, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is open to proposals restricting or banning violent online games amid concerns over their possible influence on minors.

This, after investigators found that one of the minors involved in the deadly school shooting that happened at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City was an avid player of Gorebox, an online game which is classified 18+.

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