Children and young people are urging parents, educators, governments, and technology companies to ensure that social media and the internet are safe spaces for learning, leisure, and communication.
In a virtual discussion organized by ChildFund Philippines to mark WEB Safe and Wise: Safer Internet Day 2025 on Feb. 11, youth representatives from various organizations shared insights on child online safety and digital rights.
Their strongest messages called on parents to understand the internet and how children use it, for governments to strengthen child protection policies, and for tech companies to prioritize responsibility over profit.
“Parents must understand that the internet is not the enemy, but a platform for children to learn from and navigate,” said Ralph, a youth advocate from ChildFund Philippines.
“We ask parents to do their best to understand what children are exposed to on social media so they can keep us safe from harmful content and uncomfortable situations,” he said.
Lean, a youth champion from Educo, echoed the call for parental awareness, especially in cases of cyberbullying.
“Cyberbullying is often committed by those who have experienced bullying themselves, so it’s important for parents to recognize the signs that their children may be going through this ordeal,” she said. “If parents become aware, they can immediately take action. That is the first step to stopping cyberbullying.”
The youth representatives emphasized the need to build trust and communication between children and adults to better prevent digital dangers.
Nidhi, a youth ambassador from 5Rights Foundation, stressed that technology companies must take greater responsibility for protecting young users.
“Tech companies must ensure that social media platforms put children’s rights first,” she said.
She criticized companies for collecting, analyzing, and monetizing children’s private data for content and advertising purposes, keeping them engaged online for profit while neglecting their privacy, autonomy, and development.
Nidhi also called for stronger policies to demand that civil society, policymakers, international organizations, and tech companies create a digital world where children can learn and interact without fear of exploitation.
Jomer, 16, from ECPAT Philippines, urged his peers to speak up when they feel bullied, harassed, or violated online.
“We need to report incidents so action can be taken against perpetrators. But we also need to be informed, empowered, and digitally literate,” he said.
He called for online platforms that are accessible, nonjudgmental, and child-friendly for reporting abuse. “It would also be helpful to consult children about what makes a reporting mechanism safe and easy to use,” he added.
Pia, a youth advocate from ChildFund Japan’s Philippine branch, highlighted the importance of digital kindness.
“It’s better to interact nicely because we don’t know people’s intentions on screen,” she said, adding that children should also follow their parents’ advice about not talking to strangers online.
Raising Awareness and Strengthening Protection
Allan Nuñez, advocacy and child protection specialist at ChildFund Philippines, underscored the importance of child participation in online safety discussions.
“Young people have so much power in their hands. As digital natives, this is their world,” Nuñez said.
“We need to encourage, guide, and support them in leading efforts to uphold their rights in the digital space, so we can build a safer online environment free from abuse, exploitation, and violence,” he added.
A 2021 UNICEF report revealed that one in every two Filipino children aged 12 to 17 had been victims of online sexual abuse and exploitation. More than half of children used the internet without supervision, and both boys and girls were found to be at equal risk of digital dangers.
The landmark passage of Republic Act 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Act, made the Philippines one of the first countries in East Asia and the Pacific to address the growing concern.
WEB Safe and Wise: Safer Internet Day 2025 was organized by ChildFund Philippines in partnership with ChildFund Japan’s Philippine branch, Educo Philippines, ECPAT Philippines, 5Rights Foundation, and Probe Media Foundation. The campaign is part of ChildFund Alliance’s global effort to uphold children’s rights and protect them from all forms of violence, including in online spaces.
(The last names of the youth participants have been omitted to protect their privacy.)
