By Tracy Cabrera
SANTO DOMINGO, Quezon City — While studies show the link of violent online games to short-term anger or aggressive behavior, other research finds that this has no direct path to real-world crime.
However, the dangers in the addiction on online gaming has once again sparked debates with the main concern actually focusing less on the pixels and more on toxic online communities, chat apps and recruitment risks.
The debates have been triggered by the latest report regarding a Grade 9 student who livestreamed himself shooting another schoolmate dead before taking his own life at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Santa Maria on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
The incident is the country’s second school shooting in as many months.
Regional authorities cited that initial investigation showed that so far, (the shooter) went to the classroom of his, victim, shot him and after doing that, went up to the fifth floor where shot himself.
In the meantime, advocacy group Ikaw, Sila, Tayo at Ako Maglilingkod sa Bayan (ISTAMBAY) remarked that anonymity in multiplayer lobbies often leads to cyberbullying, hate speech and extreme trash talk.
ISTAMBAY co-covenor Ricardo ‘Ric’ Sakai III underscored that law enforcement and safety groups warn that extremist or criminal groups sometimes use gaming chat platforms to radicalize or recruit minors.
“High exposure can desensitize some players or worsen hostile feelings in people who already struggle with anger. Many players use fast-paced games to blow off steam and relax after a hard day but this is far outweighed by the risk of the negative impact on those addicted to online gaming that promote violence and aggression,” Sakai cited.
ia/xf
