Ottawa: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday (Canada time) said the proposal to lower the minimum age of criminal liability following the series of school violence requires careful study. Speaking to reporters following his four-day official visit to Canada, Marcos said there is a need to identify first the reasons behind diminishing emotional or fear responses among minors.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos emphasized the importance of understanding the mental health of children through child psychologists and surveys before making any policy changes. He expressed uncertainty about the proposal's effectiveness and highlighted the necessity of thorough research. Marcos cautioned that the proposal might suggest that children's behavior has changed over time.

While acknowledging that today's youth are experiencing a different world, Marcos pointed out the need to understand the triggers of violence among children. He noted the changing landscape due to social media exposure, which might contribute to desensitization. The president stressed the importance of studying these effects carefully.

Marcos said experts' opinions are crucial and mentioned that he would consider the proposal if the underlying issues are addressed adequately. He also indicated that if certain games or types of games are found to be responsible for desensitization, they should be banned.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian is advocating for a measure to ban social media for children below 16 years old, in response to recent violent incidents involving minors. Additionally, the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development plans to review the implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.

Marcos previously called for a collective effort to protect the youth and prevent school-related violence, referencing the June 22 shooting incident at a school in Tacloban City, which resulted in the deaths of three students.