Telecommunications giant Globe has teamed up with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) in the Kabataang Digital Program to spread awareness among kids on how they can protect themselves online.
This is to provide kids more protection as they now spend more time online for learning and entertainment and the prolonged exposure makes them vulnerable to cybercriminals.
Collaboration between the public and private sectors is vital in protecting Filipino children from threats online, which became rampant with the public’s reliance on digital tools under the pandemic, NPC officials underscored.
Both Globe and the NPC bring awareness about data privacy via the Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) and the “Safe Space: A Kid’s Guide to Data Privacy” book.
“With today’s landscape being heavily-reliant on digital, learning about data privacy at an early age is important," according to Globe Data Protection Officer Atty. Irish Salandanan-Almeida.
"When we learned that the NPC was looking for partners to provide learning materials for their Kabataang Digital Program, we provided them with what we had through the DTP,” she noted.
On the other hand, “Kabataang Digital'' was a campaign providing age-appropriate support for children to help them understand the nature of privacy and the digital environment’s implications on their privacy rights.
It also aims to raise awareness among parents, guardians and school authorities about children’s privacy rights, risks and possible harm when using information and communication technology.
The material titled “Safe Space,” co-created and published by Globe, the NPC and the Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (CANVAS), was developed specifically for children aged 7 to 12 years old and is available in print and electronic formats.
It includes information on the importance of keeping personal data secure, how such information may be compromised, what the child and parents can do to avoid becoming a victim, and how to address the concern if it happens.
Complemented by DTP’s series of workshops, students, parents, and educators will be equipped with lessons on digital citizenship, online safety, and the responsible use of the internet.
The modules tackle four major topics: digital insight, digital impact, digital ambition, and digital discernment.
A Parents Module is also included in the program. Notably, the DTP modules have been adopted by the Department of Education for inclusion in the values formation subject in public schools.
DTP is likewise available through short 3-5 minute shareable videos that are easy for the youth to understand on their own.
“Beyond providing customer service, we, as a digital solutions group, believe that it is just as important to arm our youth with the right tools and knowledge to help protect themselves on the internet," stressed Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications.
"This collaboration with the NPC gives us that opportunity to exercise this responsibility.”