Tech Support Professional and Cybersecurity Analyst Art Samaniego Jr. believes that playing video games, no matter how violent, does not solely affect a child’s actual behavior. Moreover, he said that the shooting incident at San Jose National High School, Tacloban City, on June 22 was a result of a combination of factors, including mental health concerns, isolation, and family environment.

Samaniego clarified in an interview on DZRH's Balansyado on Tuesday, June 23, that, aside from a child’s exposure to extreme and harmful media, their behavior is also influenced by the state of their mental health, social well-being, whether they have access to a weapon, and their environment at home.

“Combination of factors ito, hindi lang games. Kasama dito ang mental health concerns, isolation, access to weapon[s], at family environment. Ang problema pa, ‘yung exposure sa extreme at harmful content,” he said.

He explained that even if a child plays violent simulation games, their beliefs and actions will be anchored on family principles if these have been properly instilled in them.

The analyst said children should be taught a family’s values from an early age to avoid troublesome, even dangerous, influences.

“Kasi kung naglalaro ka, pero may family values, naka-anchor ‘yung paniniwala mo sa itinuturo ng pamilya mo,” Samaniego said.

“Naniniwala ako na kapag grounded ka ng values, hindi ka mai-influence. Kaya dapat kapag Grade 1, ituro na natin ang tama at mali na nakikita online,” he later added.

He said the appeal of violent games such as GoreBox is that players are free to act on every whim—they can steal firearms and curse.

“Napaka-attractive kasi ng games, e. Unlimited ‘yung puwede mong gawin. Hindi sila nakakapagmura sa eskwelahan, pero kapag naglalaro ang lulutong. Kaya mahalaga talaga ang proper guidance,” the analyst said.

Samaniego advised parents to be attentive to the games their children play, ensuring that these are age-appropriate.

“Sa mga magulang, dapat malaman ang nilalaro ng anak. Huwag pabayaan. Dapat age-appropriate,” he asserted.

On June 22, two minors were arrested for opening fire in a classroom in Tacloban City. Alias “Rod,” 15, and alias “Nash,” 14, killed three individuals and injured 15 others. Five more were indirectly injured during the incident.