Stressing the "urgency" for internet safety education in the country, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expressed its full support to the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 2934, "An Act Establishing a Safety Internet Education Program in the Curriculum of All Elementary and Secondary Schools."

SB 2934 seeks to complement Republic Act No. 11930, the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act. Its main goal is to equip children with adequate knowledge of and a responsible attitude toward the internet.

In a statement, the CHR said: "The Commission emphasizes that the urgency to act has never been greater, as the internet continues to be an integral part of children’s lives. A child’s right to safety should not be confined to the physical world -- it must extend to the digital landscape where they learn, interact, and grow."

"By institutionalizing internet safety education, we are taking a proactive and rights-based approach to ensure that young Filipinos are equipped with the tools to protect themselves and think critically, particularly in the context of the digital age," it said.

The CHR commended Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada for advancing what it described as a "vital initiative" to enhance online safety for children.

By integrating internet safety education into schools, the CHR said the State is empowering Filipino children with the knowledge and skills to navigate online spaces responsibly and help create a safer digital environment for all.

At the same time, the proposed bill also aligns with the recommendations from a 2017 United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) study, which highlighted the vulnerability of Filipino children in the digital age, it said.

It lamented that a lot of children are exposed to cyberbullying and harmful content with approximately eight out of 10 Filipino children face the risk of online sexual abuse or bullying.

The CHR cited Article 17 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which mandates that States Parties shall ensure that children have access to information and material from a diversity of national and international sources, particularly those that promote their well-being.

Moreover, Article 19 underscores that States Parties must take all appropriate measures to protect children from all forms of abuse, it also said.