Manila: The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) is working with technology giants to systematically overhaul application architectures to protect minor users automatically. In a radio interview on Thursday, CWC Executive Director Undersecretary Angelo Tapales asserted that merely offering "child-friendly settings" on online applications is no longer sufficient to guarantee the safety of children in cyberspace.
According to Philippines News Agency, Tapales stated that CWC is collaborating with social media and gaming platforms to ensure that there are features intended for children across different age brackets to make sure that their accounts are safe. He emphasized that many parents and children still struggle to navigate and adjust complex internet safety features. Tapales warned that relying solely on user literacy to navigate these settings leaves many children vulnerable to digital threats.
"The safety of children on the internet should not depend on the ability of parents and children to navigate your platform," Tapales noted. He pointed out that many people are not tech-savvy, implying that platforms should be designed to be safe by default. Under this proposed systemic shift, the app's native design would automatically implement age-appropriate protections for every minor user.
While advocating for these systemic changes, Tapales also urged parents and guardians to actively study modern technology to ensure youth safety. He stressed that avoiding the complexities of cyberspace, the internet, gadgets, and applications is no longer a viable option, and that parental digital literacy serves as the strongest shield against online hazards. Tapales highlighted that if adults remain uninformed, it will become increasingly difficult to monitor and protect the next generation from cyberbullying and online predators.
He further reminded the public that the welfare of children must be a priority today, challenging the conventional notion of youth as merely future resources. Tapales emphasized that children are not just the future but also the present hope. He concluded by stating that ensuring child welfare and digital safety is an urgent, collective responsibility that must be addressed immediately as the nation prepares for the opening of classes.
