The Department of Health (DOH) has raised alarms over the increasing cases of childhood pregnancies in the Philippines, linking the disturbing trend to social media and online games.
According to the DOH, children under 15 years old are at risk of being targeted by sexual predators who exploit these platforms to manipulate and lure young girls. Data reveals that in many cases, the fathers of children born from these pregnancies are significantly older men, which the agency categorizes as a form of sexual abuse.
“These platforms have become silent predators,” a DOH official remarked, highlighting how online spaces facilitate inappropriate interactions. Predators use online games and social media to establish contact, build trust, and arrange face-to-face meetings with minors, leading to alarming consequences.
To address this crisis, the DOH has made its child protection units available in hospitals nationwide. These units, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), aim to provide immediate assistance, counseling, and legal support to victims of abuse.
The agency calls on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s online activities and educate them about the dangers lurking in digital spaces. “Awareness is our first line of defense,” the DOH emphasized.
