Stronger public-private collab urged to protect children online

MANILA, Philippines — In celebration of Safer Internet Day, leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom Inc. has called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to combat the growing threats to child safety online as it reaffirmed its commitment to internet safety yesterday.

With the rapid evolution of digital technology and the internet becoming both a vital tool and a potential risk that can expose children to exploitation and harm, Globe said it believes in promoting responsible and sustainable internet use.

It noted that the Philippines has emerged as the world’s biggest producer of content related to online child sexual abuse and exploitation, according to a study led by the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

“Public and private sectors need to work closely together, now more than ever, to fight growing threats to child safety online. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child. We also would like to say, in today’s highly digital world, it takes a village – in fact the whole nation – to protect every Filipino child,” said Carlo Santos, senior director for analytics and stakeholder engagement at Globe.

The telco said it has taken a proactive stance in protecting children online, investing $2.7 million in content-filtering technology to block malicious sites, including those containing child sexual abuse content.

In 2024 alone, the company blocked 3,096 child pornography domains and URLs, including 387 cases of AI-generated or computer-generated imagery depicting child abuse. 

It also works closely with government agencies, the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators and the Internet Watch Foundation to effectively fend off online threats against children.

While these measures serve as immediate interventions, Globe emphasized the need for long-term solutions to combat evolving online threats.

To promote online safety among children and their caregivers, Globe continues to drive digital literacy through its Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP), which has educated thousands of children and teens since its launch.

In 2024 alone, DTP reached 6,194 young Filipinos across the country, equipping them with the knowledge to protect themselves from online risks.

Globe also acknowledges the critical role parents play in internet safety. Through its MakeItSafe website, Globe helps parents decode digital language, identifying seemingly harmless terms that may have hidden sexual connotations and serve as red flags for potential exploitation.

Meanwhile, senior citizens – who are often targets of online scams – receive essential digital safety training under the Senior Digizen program, helping them recognize and avoid cyber fraud.

Globe further recognizes that poverty is a major driver of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material, as economic desperation can lead individuals to engage in exploitative practices.

To address this issue, Globe launched The Hapag Movement in 2023, providing food and livelihood assistance to over 120,000 families, helping them achieve financial self-sufficiency.

Globe calls on policymakers, industry leaders and the broader community to work together in building a safer and more secure digital environment for future generations.