Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday highlighted the potential risks of copycat behavior among young people due to exposure to violent content from foreign incidents, YouTube, and regular television programs. This warning comes as part of efforts to prevent school violence, looking beyond the realm of social media alone.
According to Philippines News Agency, DepEd Undersecretary Malcolm Garma expressed his concerns during a Senate hearing centered on recent school shootings in Tacloban and Zamboanga City. He pointed out that violent incidents abroad can be quickly disseminated to Filipino students through digital platforms, potentially influencing local behaviors.
Garma emphasized the need for a broader perspective on content, saying, "If we really would like to call out yung platforms natin, baka hindi lang po yung sa local, hindi lang yung nag-emanate (our platforms, perhaps we should look not only at local content or content emanating) here in the Philippines but also those emanating from other countries." He referenced a shooting in Thailand that went viral shortly before the incident in Zamboanga, although he clarified that DepEd could not directly link this to the events at Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School campus.
The primary concern is the phenomenon of imitation or "copycat" behavior, which Garma noted is a significant risk. He mentioned feedback indicating that YouTube content influenced the earlier Tacloban case, underscoring the complexity of managing the vast array of materials accessible to children online.
Garma urged that the focus should not be limited to the internet. In areas with limited connectivity, traditional television can also expose children to violent themes. He suggested that policymakers scrutinize the content of regular programs, noting that many drama shows depict themes of hatred, anger, revenge, and the use of firearms.
He remarked that television is still widely accessible, even in areas with restricted internet access, making it another potential source of influence on children. This concern is part of DepEd's wider effort to investigate how external influences and individual motivations contribute to school violence, while also enhancing security and preventive measures within educational institutions.
In response, DepEd has been strengthening school threat assessments, psychosocial interventions, and preparedness measures to prevent further violent incidents, aiming to maintain a balance without turning schools into heavily fortified environments.
