The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) has flagged a TikTok trend that it said mocks persons with disabilities, urging social media users and platforms to act against content that promotes ridicule and discrimination.
The NCDA identified the “One Wish Willow” trend as problematic, saying it draws inspiration from the horror film “Obsession” and “misuses the phrase ‘I wish I was special’ to ridicule serious conditions for entertainment, which is deeply disrespectful and dehumanizing.”
The agency said it has already reported the trend to TikTok for possible action under platform community guidelines and called on the public to report similar content that degrades persons with disabilities (PWDs).
In its statement, the NCDA emphasized that Philippine law prohibits such acts of ridicule.
“Under Section 32 of RA 7277, or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability (as amended), it is illegal to mock or ridicule persons with disabilities in any media. The law prohibits acts that intimidate or harm their self-esteem. This includes mocking posts on social media like memes, videos, or comments,” the NCDA said.
The council also pointed to cybercrime-related provisions that may apply to online harassment cases.
“The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 addresses related violations. This includes aiding and abetting cybercrimes—such as liking or sharing derogatory posts—as well as computer-related identity theft, which is applicable if the harassment involves impersonating an individual with a disability.”
The NCDA urged content creators, users, and platform moderators to promote respectful and positive content instead of material that targets or humiliates vulnerable groups.
Photo courtesy of One Wish Willow
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