MANILA, PHILIPPINES, February 2021–Google launches a collection of spoken word poetry and animated videos on its local YouTube channel to teach digital responsibility and help Filipinos be better stewards of the internet. The content is developed by the youth volunteers of Teach Peace Build Peace Movement (TPBPM), an NGO which aims to build peace online and in vulnerable communities nationwide.
The themes of the YouTube videos are kindness; the value of strong passwords and online security; critical thinking, oversharing prevention, and courage online.
Dingdong Dantes provided a voice over in all the five animated videos playing the role of the “Badge Giver”, a character who explains the moral of the story. Meanwhile, YouTube creator Janina Vela introduces, narrates, and concludes each of the stories to highlight the lessons.
Believing in the purpose of the campaign, Dingdong shared, “Sa panahon ngayon, napakahalaga ng responsableng paggamit ng internet. Gamit ang aming boses bilang mga miyembro ng entertainment industry, sana’y makatulong kami upang maitaas ang kaalaman ng lahat tungkol sa proper internet etiquette at online safety, lalung-lalo na sa mga kabataan.”
Janina Vela underscored the important role of creators: “YouTube creators play an important role in teaching digital responsibility. We can use our voice and platform to raise awareness on how we can all be better stewards of the internet. I hope that beyond Safer Internet Day, we can always practice healthy digital habits online and offline.”
On Safer Internet Day last year, Google and TPBPM launched a campaign called Cyberpeace to teach at least 10,000 high school students about digital responsibility. Amid the pandemic, with the help of several volunteers, the campaign reached more than 416,000 netizens nationwide through digital means such as social media and webinars.
Part of these volunteers are personalities and YouTube creators who taught digital responsibility using their own social media platforms.
YouTube creators such as Janina Vela, Team Lyqa, Crisha Uy, Drei Roxas, Lady Martin, Ella Banana, and Kuys Kiko held live social media discussions called Cyberpeace Hangouts to talk about how the youth can overcome some pressing online issues nowadays.
Similarly, Miss World Philippines 2018 Katarina Rodriguez conducted Cyberpeace Hours on her personal online platform weekly for five weeks, with different Cyberpeace Champions in each session. Kath Hermosa, on the other hand, gave internet tips on her vlog together with her sister and actress Kristine Hermosa.
Bernadette Nacario, Country Director of Google Philippines said, “At Google, we believe in enabling partners, communities and volunteers so we can all build a safer internet. The campaign is a shared effort of individuals from different walks of life to demonstrate that everyone can make a valuable contribution and be a better netizen. Everyone can use their passion, talents, or skills to promote digital responsibility in their own way.”
Check out Safer Internet Day contents on Google Philippines YouTube Channel. You can also join the conversation online using the hashtag #SaferInternet4Filipinos.
