Robin Padilla calls today's youth 'weak' compared to his generation
Sen. Robin Padilla made a strong remark against the youth, describing them as "weak" and easily carried away by their emotions.
During the Wednesday hearing of the Senate committee on public information and mass media, Padilla tackled the Children's Safety in Social Media Act and highlighted issues of kids getting cyberbullied and committing suicide due to depression.
He pointed out that children who become addicted to social media risk missing out on the experiences of a normal childhood.
"Siguro naman iba dito, hindi ko man ka-edad, naranasan niyo ang panahon ng 90s, 80s na tayo'y naglalaro pa sa kalsada, tayo'y masaya pa, alam pa natin kung ano ang camping, alam pa natin kung ano ang pakikipagkaibigan, alam pa natin kung ano ang kalsada," Padilla said.
The politician then voiced his opinion on how kids act today.
"Ang mga bata po ngayon, sad to say, huwag kayong magagalit sa akin—nako maraming batang magagalit siguro pero pasensya na kayo—you are weak. Hindi kayo katulad noong panahon namin na hindi kami iyakin. Natuto kami sa kalsada. Natuto kami na huwag umupo, umiyak," he said.
"Noong panahon namin, hindi uso ang salitang 'depression.' Hindi ko nga alam yan kung ano ang depression. Ngayon, batang maliit sasabihin, 'I'm depressed,'" he continued.
Following his statement, many social media users pushed back against his remarks and underscored the importance of mental health awareness.
Clinical psychologist Riyan Portuguez, known on social media as "Your Millennial Psychologist," explained that during Padilla's time, many children suppressed their emotions, fearing the scrutiny of a judgmental society.
"Paumanhin, Sen. Robin Padilla. Noong panahon po kasi ninyo maraming mga tao partikular na ang kabataan ang natatakot na magsabi dahil sa katulad po ninyo na kaysa maunawaan eh hinuhusgahan kaagad na 'weak' o mahina kapag may pinagdadaanan," she said in a post on X.
"Maraming katulad po ninyo noon ang nagtatago sa dilim para sarilinin lang ang problema at magkunwaring 'okay lang.' Paano mo makikita eh nagtatago nga? Sana ho hindi mangyari sa pamilya ninyo para lang maunawaan kung anong ibig sabihin ng salitang 'depression,'" she added.
Another user who said that they had been medically diagnosed with depression and an anxiety disorder also gave their thoughts on the matter, writing, "One thing I can for sure say about this is: it's real [and] depression 'didn't exist' during your time because it wasn't as researched back then."
Meanwhile, a Facebook user said that today's generation is "aware," not weak.
"What you see as fragility is actually visibility, education, and the courage to speak about struggles that were once ignored or dismissed," he said.
However, there are also those who agreed with Padilla's sentiments and came to his defense.
"What Robin Padilla said about depression is true. This generation has been bastardizing depression for the past 10 years. People back then knew how to analyze and solve problems with their life unlike today. Now it's, 'I hate my life,'" one user said.
In a statement on his Facebook account, Padilla reflected on his words during the hearing and clarified that he wasn't belittling anyone.
"Ito ay obserbasyon na sinusuportahan ng mga pag-aaral na nag-uugnay sa labis na paggamit ng social media sa anxiety, depresyon, kawalan ng tulog, at mababang self-esteem," he explained.
"Kung ang mga platform ay dinisenyo upang maging nakakaadik, hindi natin maaaring iasa sa mga bata ang buong responsibilidad ng pagpipigil sa sarili. Ang proteksyon sa kabataan online ay hindi lamang usapin ng disiplina sa bahay. Ito ay usaping pampublikong kalusugan at pananagutan ng lipunan," he added.