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Senate bill seeks internet safety education for children


A Senate bill aiming to include internet safety education in elementary and high school curriculums has been filed to safeguard children from online risks.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada filed Senate Bill 1934 or the Internet Safety Education Act "to empower" children with tools for "safely navigating the virtual world early on and minimize, if not eliminate, its threats and dangers."

In filing the bill, Estrada cited the 2017 call from the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for the global community to create a safer digital world for children. 

In its call, UNICEF highlighted the alarming situation in the Philippines, where "the risks to children are high with the country being the number one global source of child pornography and a hub for the livestream sexual abuse trade."

Data shows that around nine out of every ten Filipino children are vulnerable to online sexual abuse or bullying.

Estrada acknowledged the enactment of Republic Act 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Act but emphasized that SB 1934 would complement this law by providing preventive education to protect children from online dangers.

He underscored the alignment of SB 1934 with UNICEF’s recommendations from its 2017 study, which advocated teaching digital literacy to keep children informed, engaged, and safe online.

"This is one worthwhile springboard for the government to actively ensure the safety of children as they explore the internet," Estrada said in his proposal.

Key provisions

Under SB 1934, the Department of Education (DepEd) would take the lead in implementing an Internet Safety Education Program. This program would include:

  • Educational technology, multimedia tools, interactive applications, online resources, and lesson plans.
  • Professional training for teachers, administrators, and school staff on internet safety and new media literacy.
  • Peer-driven internet safety education initiatives.

The DepEd would also develop online risk prevention programs for children, conduct public education campaigns to inform parents, and collaborate with the Department of Information and Communications Technology for technical guidance.

Additionally, the bill mandates the DepEd to fund and coordinate research initiatives to understand online risks, enabling evidence-based policy and program development. — DVM, GMA Integrated News