The mental health and well-being ecosystem suggests that good mental health does not automatically translate to overall well-being. Young people’s ability to thrive depends not only on themselves but also on the communities that shape and support them. Ensuring both the tree and the forest are doing well, the United Nations (UN) says, is key to flourishing.

Digital technology is part of this ecosystem, often viewed as a potential threat when used without proper guidance. UN adds that “while digital platforms can expose youth to risks, they also offer unprecedented opportunities to expand access to mental health information, peer support networks, and telehealth services, helping to bridge existing gaps in care.”

Amnesty International in 2023 reported that 59% of young people spend over two hours daily on social media, reflecting its significant role in their lives. However, social media use has been associated with mental health concerns among youth, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, disordered eating, and body image issues.

I shared these to senior high school students at Parañaque Science High School when they invited me to deliver a lecture, and I highlighted research findings stating that young people are increasingly aware of the negative impacts of technology on their safety and privacy in digital environments.

Most Vulnerable

What made this intriguing was the question: Why are these adverse effects so prevalent among young people? One quick answer is algorithms designed to keep users engaged, as longer screen time can translate into greater profits for digital platforms. This fuels a cycle of engagement-driven tactics that can undermine young people’s mental health and well-being.

Young people, already navigating a critical stage of development, are particularly vulnerable to the many pressures and challenges they face.

A United Nations Youth Affairs Office report notes that young people’s mental health and well-being are shaped by interconnected factors that influence self-perception and their ability to thrive.

It explained that “In a particular moment of life of identity encounter various challenges like exposure to life’s adversities, peer pressure, loneliness, experiences of violence, media influence, prevailing gender norms, societal expectations and idealized standards of beauty or behaviour.”

According to the report, these pressures can fuel anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, and isolation.

Unimaginable Violence

As the links between mental health, digital technology, and recent school violence involving young people become clearer, we must challenge those who label young people as perpetrators without understanding the complexities behind these issues. Such rhetoric, at the very least, is misinformed.

Rommel V. Fuerte, Asia Regional Director of Food for the Hungry said that violence, in any form, is unacceptable. It is particularly alarming when children and young people are involved, especially in places that should ensure their safety and security, such as homes and schools.

“What we have been witnessing recently in our schools deeply saddens me, but it also challenges all of us to look beyond the incidents themselves and examine the systems, relationships, and conditions that allow violence to occur. We need to understand the underlying causes and recognize these incidents as symptoms of deeper and interconnected issues,” explained Fuerte.

Atty. Rowena Ann F. Mendoza, Country Director of Food for the Hungry Philippines shared the laws and policies governing young people:

That children are the most vulnerable members of society and should be accorded special protections is enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Article XV, Section 3(2) provides that “The State shall defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development.” (Philippines CONST., 1987).

Likewise, Article II, Section 13 states that the State shall “promote and protect” the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being of the youth. (Philippines CONST., 1987).

This is further strengthened by the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act which requires the State to provide children special protection from abuse, exploitation, and discrimination (Republic Act No. 7610, 1992).

This in in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which was ratified by the Philippines on August 21, 1990 (UN OHCHR, 2019). The UNCRC recognizes that children need special care due to their physical and mental immaturity (UN OHCHR, 1989).

Taken together, both national and international law mandate every member of the community to uphold and protect the welfare, safety and development of children at all times.

Gravity At Play

Like an arrow released from a bow, young people will inevitably be pulled down by gravity. But by aiming higher, they give themselves a better chance of hitting their target, even when life’s challenges pull them away from where they want to be.

And so, I encouraged the students of Parañaque Science High School to raise their standards. I shared a simple reflection they could apply to both big and small decisions: “Bagay ba sa akin ’to?” (“Is this right for me?”), whether choosing what to wear, getting into a relationship, or engaging in online arguments. Does this reflect who I am, align with my values, and contribute to the person I want to become?

For adults, recognizing young people’s vulnerability should not mean excluding them from decision-making. Food for the Hungry’s Adolescent Responsive Socio-Ecological Model offers a good example, creating safe and supportive spaces where young people can share experiences, learn about mental health and personal development, and build practical skills in leadership, teamwork, decision-making, and community engagement.

“Ultimately, creating safer communities means creating spaces where every young person has the opportunity to be heard, supported, and equipped to thrive,” reiterated their Asia Regional Director Rommel V. Fuerte.

It was Such a privilege to deliver a lecture to the students of my alma mater, Parañaque Science High School, ably led by my former Math teacher now Principal IV Dr. Doris Espino. I have spoken to crowds of adults, hundreds of times larger than this, yet I still get the jitters when speaking to young people their age. They would not care unless they know you care. Young people can sense authenticity.