President Marcos has called on all sectors of society to work together to protect Filipino children from the harmful effects of fake news, pornography, violent content, and toxic social media, saying these have contributed to worsening mental health issues, teenage pregnancies, HIV/AIDS cases, and other social problems.

Marcos said this following the series of school violence that resulted in injuries and deaths of students in the country in recent months.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, the President warned that "pernicious influences" have led to issues of mental health, the rise in teenage pregnancies and HIV/AIDS cases, and other extremely harmful consequences.

"We must protect them from the harmful influences and forces that exploit their vulnerability: the corrosive influence of fake news; the unfettered exposure to pornography, even to minors; the constant depiction of casual violence; and the toxicity and hate culture pervasive in social media," he said.

"We must all assume a community responsibility for our young people's protection," he added.

The President said schools must become safe spaces where children are protected and nurtured.

"Tatayo ang paaralan bilang pangalawang tahanan para sa kanila. Kaya hinahanda natin ang mga pampublikong paaralan upang tanggapin sila nang bukas-palad (Schools will stand as their second home. That is why we are preparing our public schools to welcome them with open arms),” he added.

Marcos said protecting children requires the participation not only of government but also of families, schools, churches, industries, and communities.

"Kailangang mamulat ang buong lipunan at akuin ang responsibilidad. Pag-ibayuhin natin ang ating paggabay at pag-aruga sa ating kabataan (The whole of society must awaken and assume this responsibility. Let us strengthen our guidance and care for our youth),” he said.

"Magkakasama tayong lahat sa misyong ito: ang pamahalaan, pamilya, paaralan, simbahan, industriya, at komunidad (We are all together in this mission: the government, the family, the schools, the Church, industry, and the community),” he added.

President Marcos said the recent deaths of several students due to violence and negligence should serve as a painful reminder of the country's collective responsibility to safeguard the youth.

"Ang mga nasawi nating mga mag-aaral kamakailan dala ng karahasan at kapabayaan ay nag-iwan ng malaking puwang sa kanilang pamilya at mapait na aral din para sa ating lahat (The students we recently lost because of violence and negligence have left a huge void in their families and a bitter lesson for all of us),” he said.

"Sa mga magulang at kaanak ng mga nasawi at nasaktan dahil sa nangyaring karahasan sa mga paaralan, tanggapin po ninyo ang aming taimtim na pakikiramay (To the parents and relatives of those who died and were injured because of violence in our schools, please accept our deepest condolences),” he added.

Addressing the families of Chris Lorenz Fabian, Joyancee Separa, and Ayessa Nicole Dazo, Marcos said their children demonstrated courage and selflessness that should inspire all Filipinos.

"We are all so very proud of the unflinching bravery and heroic virtue that you have instilled in your children," he said.

"Their courage and selflessness — true Filipino qualities — are the virtues that these trying times call for," he added.

It can be recalled that in June, President Marcos directed the Departments of Education (DepEd), Interior and Local Government (DILG), Health (DOH), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strengthen measures to ensure the safety of students following a series of violent incidents and accidents involving young Filipinos.

He said schools should remain places of learning rather than fear, urged parents and teachers to play a more active role in protecting children, and reminded students that seeking help is "never a sign of weakness" as investigations continue into recent incidents, including possible cases of bullying.