DICT heightens vigilance against violent extremism online as telcos strengthen content blocking

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is intensifying efforts to combat Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE) and other harmful online content amid growing concern over children’s exposure to graphic violence, exploitation, and materials that may encourage dangerous behavior.

The initiative follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen child protection and foster a safer digital environment for Filipinos.

To improve threat monitoring, information-sharing, and network-level safeguards, the DICT is strengthening coordination with the National Telecommunications Commission, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, Philippine National Police, internet service providers, telecommunications companies, and digital platforms.

Globe Telecom, PLDT, Smart Communications, and Converge ICT Solutions are also expanding their voluntary blocking of websites that carry graphic violence, school-shooting footage, child sexual abuse and exploitation materials, scams, and other prohibited content.

Converge blocked nearly 12 billion harmful website requests in 2025

“These efforts are part of our continuing work to protect Filipinos, especially children and young people, from harmful content and threats such as NVE,” DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said.

“We welcome the proactive steps being taken by our telecommunications and internet service providers. This is Digital Bayanihan in action—government and industry working together to keep our digital spaces safe,” he added.

PLDT and Smart have begun preemptively blocking more than 100 domains linked to extreme violence, while Globe is expanding restrictions on websites containing gore and footage of real-world violence.

PLDT, Smart to block over 100 sites hosting school shooting, extreme violence footage

Globe said it blocked 438,446 domains associated with child sexual abuse and exploitation materials in 2025. During the same year, Converge reported blocking nearly 12 billion attempts to access harmful websites and blacklisting more than 72,000 domains.

Globe blocks violent websites, strengthens online safeguards

The measures form part of wider child-safeguarding and anti-abuse programs undertaken in coordination with Philippine government agencies and international child-safety organizations.

These include initiatives under Child Online Safeguarding Policies intended to reduce children’s exposure to cyber threats, online exploitation, violence, and other harmful material.

According to the DICT, providers must also observe due process and their respective human-rights policies when blocking websites and implementing other network safeguards.

“Keeping the internet safe is a shared responsibility,” Aguda said. “We encourage all our partners in government and industry to remain vigilant, act responsibly, and work with us to prevent harmful content from being used to promote violence, exploitation, or other dangerous activities.”

Through the coordinated government and industry effort, the DICT aims to limit exposure to NVE-related and other harmful material, protect children and vulnerable users, and build a safer and more trusted digital environment for Filipinos.