HRL.NewsInThisTimes.

com 2021

Yes to RA 10354
By Dorothy Abby Lualhati, Colegio de Sta. Monica de Angat

In this instance of the CoVid-19 Pandemic, the use of social media and electronic
commerce is arising. Teenagers are always in front of the screen, for the education system
has changed into online classes, not only that, but it also gives entertainment and self-
expression to them. The modern world now revolves around technology, and social media
does become a big part of teen lives. However, parents can't discipline and monitor the
activities of their children on their gadgets, for teenagers now know much more about the
security in their electronic devices. In 2018 Pew Research Center survey of nearly 750 13- to
17-year-olds found that 45% are online almost constantly, and 97% use a social media
platform, such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat. These platforms, the social
media wholely, negatively affect the behavior, thinking, actions, the belief of the teens,
exposing them to bullying, rumor spreading, unrealistic views of other people's lives, porn
or nudes, and peer pressure. For that reason, they try and do things beyond their
limitations, wondering what they see, having the will to try it because of the bad influence
brought by social media. The Health-related laws have many things to do and contribute
for the sake and protection of the teenagers who are victims of this influential social media
and other people who use it.
HRL.NewsInThisTimes.com 2021

One thing that teenagers see in social media is pornography. Pornography is

movies, pictures, magazines, etc., that show or describe naked people or sex in a very
open and direct way to cause sexual excitement. Teenagers early wanted to try this
thing with their partner or even with other people they barely knew because of sexual
excitement. Many teenagers engage in premarital sex without using protection that
often leads to teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, otherwise both.

The Philippines has recorded a total of 180,916 live births among adolescents aged
in 2019, according to the data from the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System of
the Philippine Statistics Authority. The figure is equivalent to 495 live births per day
in the teen stage. While according to the DOH HIV/AIDS and ART Registry of the
Philippines (HARP), there are now a total of 81,169 HIV and AIDS cases reported from
January 1984 to October 2020. In October 2020, there were a total of 735 confirmed
HIV-positive individuals. Ninety-six percent (704) of whom were male.
HRL.NewsInThisTimes.com 2021

Unquestionably, it is a big concern in our country. Therefore we have Republic Act No. 10354, most commonly known as the Responsible
Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act. This law concerns sex education in schools and other educational settings, birth control or
contraceptives, respect for life, responsible parenthood, reproductive care health services, and problems such as sexually transmitted diseases.
Sex educations provide teens the understanding that having sex can result in pregnancy or fully consider the responsibility of having children
and more about this matter. Birth control or contraceptives supply concerns by this law to prevent teenage pregnancy and unprotected sex that
leads to sexually transmitted disease (HIV and AIDS). Respect for life is for those teens who have aborted their child that is illegal and
punishable by law because of pressure and regret. However, this law concerns respect and gives the teen mothers post-abortive treatment and
counseling inhumane, nonjudgmental and compassionate manner that will help them recover. For those teenagers who don't know anything
about being a parent, there is the responsible parenthood mandated by this law to teach the teenage parents about raising their children and
supporting their needs financially, morally, educationally, teaching themselves values. The reproductive health care services by this law provide
the rights of the teen mothers and their children to be healthy (maternal care) by giving effective and quality services that are ethnically and
medically safe, legal, accessible, affordable, and sometimes free. Lastly, this act also concerns sexually transmitted infections to eradicate these
sex-related diseases, especially AIDS, protects the health of the individuals and those unborn children or infants. Indeed, the Republic Act No.
10354 gives importance to the health of teenagers and other individuals.
HRL.NewsInThisTimes.com 2021

Without a doubt, social media and

technology usage impact teenagers' life.
Leading them to the life that they didn't
dream of and the wrong pathway. How will be
teenagers be agents of change and progress if
they are harmed and influenced by it? The
Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive
Health Act have a great deal to it. Parents
will be taken care more of their teens, and
teenagers will be protected from the harms
brought by social media. The future of our
generation and the next generations is in our
hands, don't only let the law care for us, also
care for ourselves and wisely before taking
action. With these health-related laws, our
life will be protected and safe. Always
remember that "Every human is the author of
his own health or disease" - Gautama Buddha
and Reproductive Health Matters.