PLDT, Smart rally allies vs online child abuse, cyber threats
PLDT and Smart have recruited more allies in the fight against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) and other online crimes, strengthening a multi-sector push to keep young people safe in digital spaces.
In support of Safer Internet Day in February, PLDT and Smart partnered with educators, community workers, and child rights advocates to expand awareness and build digital resilience among children and their families.
Whole-of-nation effort
“Keeping children safe online really takes a whole-of-nation effort,” Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart, said in a statement.
“For us, protecting children is part of who we are. It’s not just about technology — it’s about working with parents, schools, communities, and partners to raise awareness, build digital skills, and create a shared sense of responsibility for keeping children safe online.”
Working with the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CPTCSA), PLDT and Smart conducted learning sessions with teachers and counselors from four elementary schools in Quezon City, along with community workers.
The sessions provided practical guidance on identifying and responding to potential online threats faced by children.
Practical safety tips
“We should reinforce among children the importance of not engaging with strangers, particularly in digital spaces, and empower them to speak up and seek help whenever they feel uncomfortable or in danger,” Orlino said. “These simple habits can make a big difference in keeping them safe online.”
At Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma High School in Quezon City, PLDT and Smart presented real-world cases of child abuse and violence to highlight risks that can occur both online and offline.
Participants also watched episodes from the #BeCYBERSMART video series, which draws from real-life experiences to raise awareness about fraudulent and harmful activities carried out through mobile and digital platforms.
For many teachers, the discussions struck close to home.
“I’ve learned to be more careful when reading promotional text messages,” the statement quoted Maricel Medrano, a teacher at Melencio M. Castelo Elementary School, as saying.
“Before, I would click on the links right away. Now I know that some of these links can lead to phishing sites designed to steal personal information.”
Expanding partnerships
PLDT and Smart also provided internet safety sessions to teachers from schools supported by the Asian Development Bank under the Department of Education’s Adopt-A-School Program (ASP).
The initiative is implemented in partnership with Khan Academy, a nonprofit organization that offers free online learning resources through an interactive platform that allows students to study at their own pace.
Connectivity for the program was delivered by PLDT Enterprise, the corporate business arm of the PLDT Group. The unit provides integrated digital, connectivity, and information and communications technology solutions to institutions in the Philippines and abroad, including enterprise-grade cybersecurity services.
Elijah Mendoza, senior manager of the digital team at PLDT and Smart, led discussions on social engineering tactics such as phishing, a common scheme used by cybercriminals to extract personal data.
“The key is to avoid oversharing,” Mendoza reminded participants. “Personal data should be regarded as a valuable asset. It must be shared only with trusted individuals — and only to the extent that is necessary.”
Beyond the classroom
The companies also extended their cybersecurity advocacy to the Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum in Iloilo City.
PLDT conducted a pocket digital safety session on online scams, while PLDT Home provided high-speed fiber connectivity. Smart, meanwhile, distributed eSIMs to more than 250 onsite delegates, ensuring smooth participation for both in-person attendees and over 6,000 virtual participants.
“We are grateful to PLDT and Smart for their support and for ensuring our participants stayed connected throughout the event,” said Roy O. Dahildahil, MSc, co-founder and executive director of #MentalHealthPH.
Strengthening cyber defenses
On the technology front, PLDT and Smart reported that their cybersecurity systems blocked more than a million attempts to access child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM) online in 2025.
Their Cyber Security Operations Group also prevented over 210 billion attempts to open malicious domains during the same period. Since June 2021, the companies have blacklisted more than two million URLs containing illicit child content. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma