SENATOR Robinhood Padilla on Monday advised the youth to be mindful and learn to control their passion for electronic sports or e-sports.

In a Senate hearing on the measure that will authorize the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board to regulate online gaming, Padilla said the youth must practice responsible gaming.

He also asked the Philippine E-Sports Organization’s representatives if there have been deaths of children due to excessive online gaming.

“May namatay na bata na parang dalawang araw nang hindi natutulog, may balita kayong ganun?” Padilla asked.

In response, Marlon Mauricio confirmed that there was a recorded case of death due to gaming.

“Unfortunately po meron talagang ganun case. Ang paglalaro po kasi may ikabubuti at ikasasama at some point po gaming addiction na ang nangyari doon sa namatay,” Mauricio said.

Mauricio assured the senator that they have programs promoting responsible gaming.

“Sinasabi namin pwede naman kayong maglaro ng video games pero asikasuhin nyo assignment nyo, tumulong sa gawaing-bahay,” he said.

Padilla called on the youth to take care of their health and to avoid being too addicted to gaming.

“Dapat kumain naman kayo, matulog naman kayo. ‘Di naman namin inaalis sa inyo ‘yung laro pero ‘wag naman kayong maging addicts diyan,” he stressed.

The senator also reminded the youth to make sure that gaming will not affect their studies.