MANILA, Philippines – “Twitter yan? Pilipino ang gumagawa?” 

This was the reaction of Senator Robinhood Padilla upon learning about the prevalence of pornography and prostitution on social media, especially on Twitter. 

Concerned and alarmed, Padilla said he intends to file a resolution that would look deeply into the matter. 

“Let’s look into that,” he said.

On Wednesday (November 9), the team of republicasia met up with the lawmaker to discuss the alarming proliferation of pornography online via the so-called “Alter” world in social media. 

Since it was launched on November 5, republicasia has published more than 10 stories reporting about the social media phenomenon, including interviews with socmed pornstars who sell through different online platforms copies of their photos or videos showing them either naked or having sex with a male or female partner or partners

Alter pertains to a second account or a dummy account created to provide space for individuals for expression of all forms. However, some found a way to turn vulgarity into business. 

Eventually, the business progressed into an industry that employed a fitting scheme of advertisement and profit that created an entire ecosystem of a more modernized, convenient and more lucrative online flesh trade. 

What’s even more concerning is that many, if not most, of the people in the Alterworld, whether creator or spectator, happen to be minors.