Globe joins international monitoring group in fight vs online child abuse
Globe Telecom announced its membership with the United Kingdom-based Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), gaining powerful tools to support the fight versus online child abuse.
Members of IWF, which is supported by the European Commission, gain access to cutting-edge technology to find, remove, disrupt and prevent child sexual abuse imagery on the internet.
Globe said this was part of an ongoing global campaign against the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).
“Globe has always been an ally of child rights and child protection initiatives. Partnering with international monitoring groups such as IWF is a mindful step to further our mission in eliminating OSAEC in the country. Through this, we not only advocate responsible online behavior and wellness but help protect the future generation from OSAEC,” Froilan Castelo, Globe general counsel, said in a statement on Thursday.
Globe joins IWF’s local partners such as PLDT Inc. and Converge ICT Solutions Inc. as well as technology giants such as Facebook, Google, Apple and Twitter.
IWF also has a dedicated team of analysts responsible for tracking offending images and videos. The foundation had processed around 299,600 reports of online child sexual abuse in 2020 alone.
Article continues after this advertisementSaferKidsPH
“In the international battle against child sexual abuse material and the criminals who spread it online, it is good to see more and more companies taking a strong stand and joining us to eradicate this harmful content from the internet,” said Susie Hargreaves OBE, IWF chief executive.
Article continues after this advertisementGlobe earlier joined the Unicef-led SaferKidsPH initiative and Safer Internet Day, which raise awareness on pressing and emerging OSAEC cases.
To provide assistance to both children and parents or guardians, Globe opened up “lifelines’’ for Filipinos to help cope with OSAEC-related mental and physical health concerns.
Individuals and families can seek assistance by calling HOPELINE, the 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis support desk of New Good Feelings Mindstrong. The nonprofit organization is one of the country’s pioneer independent foundations recognized by the International Association on Suicide Prevention.
