Manila: The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Iloilo provincial government, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, have collaborated to provide a safer environment for children amid threats in the digital world. On Tuesday, stakeholders gathered for a one-day learning session aimed at strengthening awareness and understanding of child online protection, focusing on digital safety, children's privacy online, and preventing and responding to cyberbullying.

According to Philippines News Agency, DICT Undersecretary for Strategic Initiatives and Industry and Competency Development Leandro Angelo Aguirre stated that the 'Safe Minds, Safe Online' learning session was conceived after a meeting with Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. in April. During the meeting, the governor highlighted the high rates of youth suicide in Iloilo. Aguirre emphasized the importance of collaboration among parents, teachers, government agencies, child rights advocates, digital platforms, and local communities to better protect children online.

Aguirre noted that children should not have to choose between enjoying technology's benefits and being protected from its risks. He urged the creation of an environment where children can confidently use technology while understanding how to protect themselves and others.

Governor Defensor, in an interview, discussed the province's direction through its Program for the Resilience of Iloilo in Mind and Emotion (PRIME) on psycho-social welfare and mental health. The program aims to protect youth from negative influences on the internet and social media. He expressed the need for practical safety measures managed by the provincial government, communities, parents, families, and schools to prevent victimization of children and youth.

The insights from the session will be used to develop a social media management module, which will be disseminated to local government units and schools. Defensor highlighted the module's critical role in addressing the annual 80 suicide cases, which he described as an emergency situation.

Defensor stressed the urgency of addressing this issue with partners, noting that the module would be implemented through teen centers in schools. He mentioned that this initiative marks the beginning, and future meetings with the Department of Education and stakeholders are planned.