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PLDT and Smart said their cybersecurity systems blocked around 83,000 attempts to access child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM) in January 2026, as the group continues to strengthen digital safeguards aimed at protecting children online.
The figure represents a 50 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2025, according to the PLDT Group’s Cyber Security Operations Group (CSOG), which operates the company’s Child Protection Platform.
Since the platform was launched in 2021, PLDT and Smart said the number of blacklisted URLs linked to illicit child-related content has reached two million, reflecting the scale of online threats targeting minors.
“As technology enablers, PLDT and Smart recognize their role in providing a safe digital space that allows children to grow and pursue their passions,” said Roby T. Alampay, first vice president and head of public engagement at PLDT and Smart.
Alampay said the group’s CSAEM blocking tool allows the network to detect and stop access to materials depicting online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) before users can reach them.
Unlike traditional filters that block entire websites, the Child Protection Platform works by identifying illicit content at the specific URL or digital hash level, allowing the system to intercept harmful material while keeping legitimate websites accessible. Users attempting to access flagged content are redirected to a warning page.
The platform is supported by intelligence feeds from international partners including the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and the Canadian Centre for Child Protection’s Project Arachnid, which provide continuously updated databases of known abuse materials to help identify and block hidden CSAEM across the internet.
Beyond network-level safeguards, PLDT Enterprise is also supporting the MAKABATA Helpline 1383 operated by the Council for the Welfare of Children. The helpline serves as the country’s central reporting and referral system for child protection cases. In 2024 alone, it received more than a thousand reports involving sexual, physical, and psychological abuse, as well as custody concerns.
The company has also partnered with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Bureau of Fire Protection to deploy Unified 911, a cloud-based emergency response platform that connects police, fire, medical, and rescue services nationwide.
Hosted on ePLDT’s Pilipinas Cloud, the system integrates voice, digital, and video reporting, along with GPS-based location tracking, geo-fencing, and CCTV connectivity to support faster emergency response.
“But we go beyond technology in protecting children. We work with parents, schools, communities and government to raise awareness on OSAEC and collaborate with partners who champion children’s rights and safety,” Alampay said.
PLDT and Smart are also promoting online safety through their #BeCyberSmart campaign, which trained nearly 59,000 individuals in 2025 on digital literacy, data protection, scam awareness, and responsible online behavior.
The company said protecting children online requires a balanced approach combining technology safeguards, digital literacy, and parental guidance, especially as policymakers continue discussions on regulating children’s gadget use.
“These initiatives reflect the PLDT Group’s commitment to advancing child protection and supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16 on promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions, particularly by ending violence against children,” the company said.