Globe, Plan International collaborate to help bring down sexual exploitation of children cases

Even before the global pandemic, the internet has become an integral part of Filipinos’ everyday lives; children are constantly online to study, play and socialize. But with the increased dependence on digital connectivity, children are also more vulnerable to sexual exploitation, abuse, mis/disinformation, cyberbullying, among various issues plaguing the internet.

Because of this, Globe and Plan International Philippines are collaborating to address the rising threats and risks to children’s safety and their online security via the Down to Zero: Building Back Better in times of the Covid-19 (DtZ) program.

Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DtZ aims to better protect children and the youth and victims of sexual exploitation during and after the pandemic. It is a joint effort of Terre des Hommes Netherlands, Plan Netherlands, Defence for Children – ECPAT, Free a Girl, and ICCO Cooperation, under the leadership of Terre des Hommes Netherlands.

“Along with the many advantages the internet brings to our daily lives, there are risks, too. We need to strengthen the online safety and security of customers, with emphasis on children, as we push the country’s digital transformation further,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications.

DtZ is tapping Globe’s award-winning Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) to teach students, parents, and educators about digital citizenship, online safety, and responsible use of the internet. Combining these programs creates a valuable layer of protection around children, and their circle of influence, against the risks and threats of abuse and exploitation online.

Globe recently shared its DTP lessons with 278 students and teachers from Mariveles National High School in Barangays Poblacion, Camaya, and Cabcaban.  Mariveles NHS was among Plan International’s project areas and was chosen for having the most enrollees into blended learning modalities in Mariveles, Bataan. DTP will also be brought to other program areas of Plan International.

According to program participants, the DTP workshops helped strengthen the participants’ knowledge of cyber wellness, security, and proper online behavior. These skills are beneficial in today’s environment as most learning and educational instruction is being delivered online.

The teachers and students were taught three basic modules. Digital Insight covers various online threats, abuses, and predatorial and abusive behavior, and how to be protected from these. Digital Impact discusses essential principles and practices around cyber safety and security. Digital Discernment teaches learners how to identify what information online is credible or questionable and how to be protected from misinformation.

To make the DTP modules accessible for all, Globe has made its self-learning materials available online in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), Plan International Philippines, and UNICEF’s SaferKidsPH.  Access the DTP e-Modules also by visiting the Globe Bridgecom YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/user/GlobeCSR

Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. Globe is committed to upholding the UN Global Compact principles and contributing to 10 UN SDGs.

To know more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.