EDITORIAL - Safer internetfor children

Apart from national security and the need to protect government information networks, there is another reason to boost capabilities for fighting cyber threats: protecting children from sexual predators.

This month is not just devoted to romance along with the observance of the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday; child welfare advocates are also raising awareness on the prevention of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. OSAEC cases spiked during the COVID lockdowns, as the country shifted to remote learning to keep formal education going while preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

A survey on online child protection conducted by ECPAT Philippines in the first year of the pandemic in 2020 showed that nearly 40 percent of child and youth responders connected with strangers through social media. The survey by the non-government organization advocating an end to child prostitution and trafficking also showed that about 30 percent of the respondents received sexual materials through social media sites.

In 2018, a presidential proclamation declared the second Tuesday of February every year as Safer Internet Day for Children. The day, which fell on Feb. 13 this year, was marked with the theme: “Inspiring change? Making a difference, managing influence, and navigating change online.” The day falls within the second week of the month, which was declared in 1996 as National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation.

It’s a daunting challenge. Not only because rapidly evolving technology facilitates OSAEC, with those fighting the exploitation barely able to keep up, but also because many children are pushed into online sexual exploitation by their own parents or guardians. Poverty also drives some older youths to willingly open themselves to OSAEC.

With the pandemic lockdowns prompting the shift to remote or hybrid learning, the use of gadgets such as cell phones and computers became a necessity for millions of children. Many of the children, along with their parents, lacked information about cyber threats. Parents and even teachers fell for online financial scams, and were vulnerable to disinformation and misinformation. Children, meanwhile, suffered online bullying and OSAEC.

Pandemic restrictions have been lifted, but children’s digital engagement is irreversible. More resources are needed so that authorities can carry out the difficult task of making cyberspace safer for children.