It Takes a Village to Raise a Child: Challenges in the digital age

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus said more than 2,500 years ago, “There is nothing permanent except change.” This statement echoes the different realities of society today and reminds us that everything changes over time. Every era presents new realities that differ from those of the past. The continuous unfolding of events brings new challenges that require appropriate responses. Indeed, the Danish existentialist Søren Kierkegaard was right when he said, “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”

Recent developments in our society require objective solutions that go beyond what we have traditionally practiced. The government’s recent proposal to ban selected online games that may negatively influence the holistic development of children deserves careful consideration.

While there are arguments and studies opposing such a ban, Dr. Rafael Henry Legaspi, a psychiatrist at the University of the Philippines–Philippine General Hospital, said there is still no established causal link between video game violence and real-world aggression (Santos, 2026). He further explained, “There are studies being conducted to examine the increase in video game use among young people and the rise in gun violence in different parts of the world. However, there is no conclusive evidence showing a direct link between the two.” Likewise, Sen. Bam Aquino rejected the proposal, describing video games as “an art form and entertainment medium” that “do not cause violent behavior.” He argued that banning video games altogether is not a good solution to society’s problems (Clores, 2026).

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Although these positions are supported by existing studies, they do not necessarily mean that online games have no adverse effects. Human behavior is highly complex. As society evolves, previous studies and assumptions may no longer fully apply. The widespread accessibility of technology can influence how individuals think and behave. Information is now available at our fingertips, making technology more influential than ever. On the other hand, one study argues that “evidence suggests that video game consumption does not only influence the player but also the player’s social network” (Greitemeyer, 2022).

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The same study concluded that whether video games have a positive or negative influence largely depends on their content. This suggests that games promoting excessive violence deserve closer scrutiny and, where appropriate, should be regulated or banned. Rather than dismissing the government’s proposal by labeling video games as a “convenient scapegoat” for school violence, we should objectively examine whether certain games contribute to harmful behavior and consider appropriate policy responses.

Let us not forget the African proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child.” We now live in an age in which we are more interconnected than ever before, yet we are also becoming increasingly isolated because technology sometimes creates a virtual world detached from reality. Although this may sound ironic, it reflects the world we live in today. We owe it to our children to provide experiences that extend beyond digital entertainment and to give them a genuine sense of belonging and community. It is now time to support the government’s initiative to regulate or ban selected video games that may negatively affect children’s development. Let us approach this issue with objectivity and prioritize the welfare of the next generation.

Givheart C. Dano,

[email protected]

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