Senator Robinhood Padilla on Wednesday warned that excessive social media use is weakening the youth’s emotional resilience and depriving them of meaningful childhood experiences.
Speaking at a Senate hearing, he said children today miss out on outdoor play, social interaction, and real-world lessons that previous generations enjoyed.
Padilla expressed concern over the growing tendency of young people to label themselves as depressed, which he said was uncommon during his generation.
He lamented that social media has diminished children’s sense of adventure, social skills, and emotional strength.
The senator urged lawmakers to review the impact of digital platforms on youth and consider policies to safeguard their mental health and overall well-being.
Source: PhilNews24 | February 12, 2026
