Sen. Robin Padilla on Wednesday described today’s youth as “weak,” saying they are different from children during his generation when the word “depression” was not commonly used.
Padilla made the remark as he opened a Senate committee hearing tackling several measures aimed at improving children’s safety on social media. The Senate committee on public information and mass media, which he heads, is currently reviewing proposals that could regulate or restrict minors’ access to digital platforms.
“Kids nowadays, sadly, please don’t get mad at me — oh, I’m sure many of you will get upset — but forgive me… you are weak,” Padilla said.
He compared the current generation to those who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, saying children back then learned resilience through life outside their homes and did not easily break down emotionally.
During the hearing, Padilla said children in his time were not “crybabies,” adding that they learned from the streets rather than simply sitting down and crying.
“In our time, the word ‘depression’ wasn’t commonly used. I didn’t even know what it was. Nowadays, even small kids say, ‘I’m depressed,” Padilla said.
Padilla also raised concerns about young people becoming addicted to social media, saying the issue has pushed lawmakers to propose legislation similar to policies adopted in other countries that regulate or prohibit minors from using social media platforms.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, told the Senate committee it does not believe an outright ban on minors is necessary at this time, citing children’s right to access digital platforms.
“We do understand the concerns,” Berni Moestafa, head of Meta’s Public Policy for Indonesia and Philippines, said when asked about their stand on the bills.
“We do think that the need for ban is not there given that the children have a right to access digital platforms. However, we want to make sure that they are protected.”
“So balancing the rights for digital participation and safety becomes a priority for us to make sure that children, especially children and above 13 have the rights to participate and be a voice on platforms…” Moestafa said.
Meta also informed lawmakers that it is implementing measures meant to strengthen child protection safeguards across its platforms.
