The number of children accessing and using the internet grows exponentially. Though the digital environment offers many benefits, sadly, according to the National Study on Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children in the Philippines (Unicef, 2020), 1 in 2 Filipino children was a victim of some form of violence on the internet. The worst form of this violence continues to be online sexual abuse and exploitation.

Every child in the Philippines should enjoy a safer and better digital environment free from all forms of online abuse, exploitation, and violence. Fortunately, the government recently passed Republic Act 11930 "Anti Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM)" protecting Filipino children from the dangers they face in digital spaces.

PMFI partnered with ChildFund Philippines from January to February 2023 to support their #WebSafeandWise Campaign in the Philippines. The campaign aimed to engage the media, technology companies, and online platforms as partners in working towards the safety of children in the digital environment. The launch sparked ideas for activities to strengthen collaborations with the media to increase awareness of the issue and encourage quality reporting on the topic.

WebSafeandWise Media Training and Fellowship Project

In November 2023, PMFI organized the "WebSafeandWise Media Training" for over 20 reporters, journalists, and practitioners. The interactive training session included topics such as children's online behavior, the laws and legal framework, guidelines on responsible reporting on OSAEC and CSAEM, and the sharing of techniques in media coverage, interviewing, and reporting on the topic.

Starting in January 2024, eight media practitioners from GMA Network, Licas News, Baguio Midland Courier, North Luzon, Monitor, and Philippine News Agency were chosen as Media Fellows of the program. They created various multimedia content such as articles, videos, and photos, which were distributed through mainstream and online media channels. Visit our resources page to view the works of the #WebSafeandWise Media Fellows.

Moving Forward with Media and Child Web Safety

PMFI hopes to continue its partnership with ChildFund Philippines for the #WebSafeandWise media training and fellowship. We aim to equip media practitioners, journalists, and youth content creators with the necessary information, skills, and opportunities to develop stories that promote children's safety in online and digital spaces. Some of our future ideas for media and communications activities include:

-        Providing consistent information and resources to guide reporters, journalists, and editors on the responsible and sensitive reportage of topics related to Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Materials (CSAEM), and related topics.

-        Providing skills training and encouraging children and youth to produce stories and multimedia materials on online safety to reflect their voices and perspectives.

-        Conducting media dialogues with child champions, advocates, CSOs/NGOs, government agencies, digital/tech companies, and others on their programs, proposed solutions, and impact on their efforts to create a safer digital world for and with children. 

See our related news articles:
Philippine Media for a Safer Digital World for Kids (part 1)
#WebSafeandWiseMedia Fellowship: Stories on the Filipino Child's Digital World (part 2)

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