Globe expressed support for Education Secretary Sonny Angara’s call for telecommunications companies and social media platforms to help strengthen online safeguards for minors, as the Department of Education (DepEd) seeks broader industry cooperation to protect young Filipinos in digital spaces. The company said the DepEd’s invite underscores the importance of coordinated action among government, industry, schools and families to make the online environment safer for children.
Angara said DepEd plans to engage telcos and social media companies on measures to better protect minors amid continuing discussions on children’s social media use. Globe welcomed the move, saying different sectors have distinct but complementary roles, from strengthening protections on digital platforms to giving parents better tools and helping young people develop responsible online habits.
Social media platforms have a critical role in providing age-appropriate experiences, strengthening content moderation and improving parental controls. Telcos can complement these efforts through network-level protection, online safety education and tools that help families manage their children’s digital experience.
“Secretary Angara’s call recognizes that protecting children online requires coordinated action across the digital ecosystem. Globe is ready to support DepEd and work with government, schools, parents and technology platforms to help create a safer online environment for young Filipinos,” said Atty. Froilan Castelo, Globe General Counsel. “Everyone has a role to play. Platforms must strengthen protections for younger users, parents need effective tools and guidance, and young people need the skills to navigate digital spaces safely and responsibly.”
This approach is consistent with UNICEF’s position that age restrictions alone are not sufficient to keep children safe online. UNICEF has called for a broader approach that includes safer platform design, effective content moderation, age-appropriate online experiences and support for parents and caregivers.
Globe believes such measures are important as digital platforms continue to play a role in young people’s learning, communication and social connection. Its approach supports stronger protection for minors through guided access, platform accountability and parental controls, recognizing that restrictions should be complemented by measures that address the risks children encounter online.
The company also continues to promote responsible technology use through its Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP), an umbrella initiative which aims to equip students, parents, teachers and community leaders with practical skills in digital citizenship, cybersecurity, cyberbullying prevention, media and information literacy, and online safety. Globe also recognizes schools and families as important partners in promoting responsible social media use and helping young people build safer digital habits.
Through stronger platform protections, responsible parenting, digital literacy and collaboration across the digital ecosystem, Globe aims to help young Filipinos benefit from technology while navigating the online world safely and responsibly.
