Children have become one of the top consumers of the internet today, be it for learning, entertainment, or socialization, especially during COVID-19 pandemic. However, with their parents juggling work and home responsibilities, they are left unsupervised with their internet activities, making them vulnerable to online sexual exploitation, cyberbullying, and risky online behavior―problems that have always persisted since the start of the internet era.
In 2015, the National Baseline Survey (NBS) on Violence Against Children (VAC) revealed that one out of five children ages 13 to 17 experienced physical sexual violence in the Philippines, while half experienced online violence such as online sexual violence or online bullying. As reported by the Department of Justice – Office of Cybercrime based on the data forwarded by the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, there was a 209 per cent increase in the cyber tip reports for the Philippines, from January to December 2020 (1,294,750 cyber tips) compared to 2019 (418,422 cyber tips), coinciding with the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This data alone proves that protective measures must be in place to keep children safe from inappropriate online content and make the internet a safer place for them. Below are some of the ways parents can configure the setting of their devices to ensure that their children are safe from inappropriate and suspicious content online.
Know parental controls of social media sites
Many social media platforms can filter sensitive content. Read the community guidelines and FAQs of these platforms and maximize them for your child’s protection. An additional option would be using third-party security software that can enable specific setting such as blocking of specific words, images, and other multimedia content that may lure their children.
Avail filtering services from internet service providers (ISPs)
Parents can also try asking their ISPs if they offer filtering services. While it does not exactly protect users from computer viruses or malware, filtering services help block access to internet sites that have illegal or inappropriate content. Some ISPs have been oriented on child-friendly business practices and are doing measures to ensure children’s safety online.
Put password protection on computers/devices
One of the easiest ways of protecting children from malicious online content is by simply setting strong passwords on devices. Parents can password-protect their accounts, smartphones, wifi routers, and computers so that children would have to ask for their assistance when accessing the internet.
Put computers and devices in a common area
Parents can better monitor their children’s use of the internet and computer if they stay and put all of their devices in a common room. This way, children can also seek immediate assistance from their parents if they encounter online content that they are unfamiliar with.
Set strong privacy settings
In order to protect children from being preyed on by predators, cyberbullies, or scammers, keep webcams covered when not in use. Check the privacy settings to minimize data collection. Help your child learn to keep personal information private, especially from strangers.
Open the lines of communication
The most important requirement for a parent is to maintain open communication. This way, not only would they be able to spend time with them online and offline, they would help support their children mediate any concerns while navigating the digital environment. Let them have fun and express themselves.
Online safety is one of the priorities of UNICEF Philippines’ child protection programme. The UN child rights agency leads the SaferKidsPH programme, supported by the Australian Government, to reduce the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the Philippines.
SaferKidsPH is a six-year (2019-2025) initiative that aims to create a safer environment for children. It calls on the government, NGOs, communities, parents, caregivers and young people to play an active role in; (1) adopting positive behaviour towards protection of children from online abuse and exploitation, (2) strengthening investigation, prosecution and adjudication of OSAEC cases consistent with national legislation, and (3) improving service delivery for prevention and protection of children against online sexual abuse and exploitation in OSAEC hotspots.
The SaferKidsPH programme supported the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) in the adoption of the Child Online Safeguarding Policy which aims to expand and promote protective mechanisms for children when they access the internet in public places.
Together, these efforts can ensure the safety of children and youth in online spaces. The internet should be a safe space for everyone. Governments and organizations must ensure that families are well-equipped to protect their children and create a safer world offline and online.
