Senator Sherwin Gacharian is currently pushing legislation to help curb video game addiction, especially among minors in the Philippines.
Gatcharian introduced Senate Bill 1063 or the Video and Online Games and Outdoor Media Regulations Act. This expands the powers and functions of the Motion Picture and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to include regulation of video and online games. Powers of agencies that regulate video and online games.
Gatchalian said it was essential to protect the safety and well-being of children in exposure to new technology by amending certain provisions of the 1986 Executive Order, the law that created the MTRCB.
“Habang patuloy na nagbabago at lumalawak ang paggamit natin sa teknolohiya, dapat din nating tiyakin na nabibigyan ng kaukulang proteksyon at paggabay ang atating mga kabataan, lalo na mula sa mga Hindi magagandang impluwensya at epektong maaaaring idulot ng mga teknolohiyang ito (our use As technologies continue to change and expand, we need to ensure that young people are given adequate protection and guidance, especially from the negative impacts these technologies can cause.”
He said 2020 gaming statistics show that 43 million gamers will drive unprecedented growth across the Philippine gaming industry and Southeast Asia, with 74% of the Philippine online gaming population on mobile devices and 65% on PC gaming. revealed that 45% are playing games. In classic console games.
Additionally, 43 million gamers in the Philippines spent $572 million on games in 2019, making the Philippines the world’s 25th largest market for gaming revenue and a major driver of the gaming market across Southeast Asia during that time. increase.
In addition to video and online games, Gatcharyan’s bill mandates the MTRCB to regulate outdoor media, including advertising signs, light-emitting diode (LED) signs and billboards, above-ground signs, rooftop signs, and signage infrastructure.
When approving or rejecting videos, online games, and outdoor media exhibits, it said the same procedures that apply to movies, TV shows, still images, and other image advertising would apply.
However, the review and review process for media determined to be unsuitable for consumption in the Philippines also applies to videos, online games, and outdoor media.
Similarly, Senate Bill 1063 prohibits the sale or distribution of video games rated “adult” by the MTRCB.
Under the bill, it would be illegal for minors to purchase or receive games rated “adults only” and use false proof of age to obtain copies of these video games.
The bill also requires that all video games and printed or digital promotional material packages sold and distributed in the Philippines display their rating on the front in a visible and legible manner in the style and manner prescribed by the Philippines. It is stipulated that there is board.
The proposed law would also require rating labels to be displayed on the menu screens of digital copies of games.
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