PLDT, Smart promote online child safety in Cebu communities

• Contributed photo

PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. are working with Terre des Hommes Netherlands and Bidlisiw Foundation Inc. to help children, parents, and educators in Cebu navigate online risks.

The partnership, conducted through Project SCROL, brings digital safety education and child protection advocacy directly to local communities.

During the recent Pista sa Kaalam Cyber-Caravan at the University of San Carlos Main Campus, participants learned about responsible social media use, recognizing online risks, and protecting themselves and others from digital threats.

The sessions helped parents and educators better understand the online spaces young people use daily. Students were also reminded that their posts, clicks, and other online interactions carry responsibilities and potential consequences.

The initiative seeks to strengthen digital resilience and enable communities to serve as the first line of defense against online exploitation. It also promotes the idea that meaningful digital inclusion requires not only access to connectivity but also the knowledge and skills to use technology safely.

“Technology can be a powerful tool for learning and empowerment, but communities also need the knowledge to navigate the online world safely,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, assistant vice president and head of stakeholder engagement at PLDT and Smart.

“By working with organizations that are deeply rooted in the community, we can help equip young people, parents, and educators with practical skills that promote safer digital experiences and protect vulnerable sectors from online harms,” she added.

Bidlisiw Foundation Executive Director Pamela Uy stressed that protecting children online requires cooperation among telecommunications companies, community organizations, schools, families, and other stakeholders.

“Through partnerships with organizations like PLDT and Smart, we can bring critical information and resources directly to communities, helping parents, educators, and young people become more aware, more prepared, and ultimately more empowered,” Uy said.

PLDT Home provided connectivity during the event, allowing participants to access educational materials and take part in its interactive activities.

The initiative forms part of the PLDT Group’s broader campaign against the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, or OSAEC.

Under its #KonektedForSaferInternet campaign, the group uses its Child Protection Platform and global monitoring tools to help detect and block access to online content linked to child sexual abuse and exploitation.

These technical measures complement the group’s partnerships with schools, communities, civil society organizations, and government agencies working to create safer environments for children online and offline.

Through Project SCROL and related initiatives, PLDT and Smart aim to combine connectivity, education, and community engagement to help protect Filipino children in an increasingly digital world.