Globe Telecom joins Plan International in enhancing cyber safety skills of the youth and their parents

Globe Telecom has joined Plan International in enhancing the cyber safety skills of children, the youth, and their parents in order for them to become informed, responsive, and responsible digital citizens who act in ways that protect their individual well-being and are respectful toward other people.

During the recent two-day Cyber Talino Youth Summit and Digital Parenting Conference 2019, Globe imparted lessons on digital safety based on its Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) which is being offered for free in private and public high schools nationwide.

“Being an information and communications technology company, Globe sees the importance of educating the Filipino youth on the responsible use of technology — be it through gadgets, website browsing and interacting with social media platforms. Thus, we are glad to be given an opportunity by Plan International to reach as many people as we can in order to ensure their safety while online,” said Miguel Bermundo, Globe Head for Citizenship.

During the summit, Globe shared an overview of DTP which was designed to increase students’ knowledge of digital citizenship and cyber safety by taking a critical look at their online behavior and helping them develop insights into the influences of the online world and the choices they are making.

DTP has four components: 1. Digital Insight provides activities that help discern proper online behavior, 2. Digital Impact tackles issues on technology’s effect on social activities, 3. Digital Discernment encourages critical thinking when using the internet, and 4.  Digital Ambition teaches skills on how to use technology to achieve life goals.

DTP has been proven to increase levels of digital citizenship awareness among the youth as reflected in a 2017 assessment conducted by Nielsen among 275 Grade 7-12 students who studied the modules except for Digital Discernment.  The study showed an increase in the number of students practicing at least one security measure to protect their information online, a large reduction in the number of students who have random interaction with strangers online, a significant increase in the number of students who are aware of how their online information is used by websites and apps, and a reduction in the number of students who visit internet cafes to go online.

The Cyber Talino Youth Summit, with the theme “Launching a Generation of Cyber Safe Youth”, brought together student leaders, social innovators, community developers and technology enthusiasts to encourage them to work together in enhancing the digital safety of the youth and to push for responsible use of social media and other platforms. The Cyber Parenting Conference, on the other hand, talked about “Cyber Parenting Tips You Should KNOW!” and gathered stakeholders, partners, parents and community leaders to raise awareness among parents on how to guide and protect their children in the digital age.   

Globe Citizenship Head Miguel Bermundo (left) talks about cyber safety at Plan International’s Cyber Talino Youth Summit and Digital Parenting Conference 2019. With him is Ysrael Diloy, Sr. Advocacy Officer of Stairway Foundation, Inc.