On and Offline: Globe takes lead in ensuring child safety

 

Children’s rights should be fought for and upheld both offline and online. As a strong advocate of child safety, Globe continues to spread the message about children’s rights in cyberspace, especially the increasing roles that the Internet and technology play in children’s lives.

 

Globe joined a panel of speakers for Children’s Rights and Business Principles (CRBP) Online Training Seminar organized by the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) last May, which aimed to build the capacity of top management on CRBP and deepen their knowledge on its relevance to their sector’s operations, and the use of online digital business platforms.

 

At the session, Miguel Bermundo, Globe Senior Manager for Sustainability Integration discussed the company's various programs and initiatives that help make information technology safe (#MakeITSafePH) for children, parents and caregivers who were impacted by changes in workplace policies during the pandemic, and its best practices to successfully adjust and pivot.

 

One of these efforts is the Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) which teaches the youth about good digital citizenship and responsible online behavior.  From a series of offline workshops touching on Digital Insight, Digital Impact, Digital Ambition, and Digital Discernment, DTP is now being shared to the public through webinars and e-modules. It is also integrated into the Department of Education’s K-12 curriculum.

 

The company also joined the UNICEF-led SaferKidsPH initiative and Safer Internet Day which both raise awareness on pressing and emerging online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) cases. The 18th edition of Safer Internet Day called upon all stakeholders to join hands in making the internet a safer and better place for all, especially for children.

 

Likewise, Globe supports the ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.’s Bantay Bata #163 Helpline which is free for all Globe and TM mobile phone users to make it easier for anyone to report child abuse during this quarantine period when children are at home most of the time.

 

“Internet connectivity has become increasingly accessible to minors. Globe endeavors to make the Internet safer for children, starting with digital awareness. As a company whose business is connecting many Filipinos to the internet, it is   imperative to keep our customers, particularly children, safe online,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications at Globe.”

 

Globe and AHRC have previously worked together in the fight against child exploitation in cyberspace. Back in 2016, Globe was invited by UNICEF and AHRC to be its ally in building a child-friendly cyberspace together.

 

The partnership led to a study that helped determine how the principles of child rights can be integrated in the business principles of Globe to ensure that the company complies with international standards on online child protection and that its employees are informed properly about the laws related to this.

 

These initiatives by Globe represent its commitment to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals including UN SDG No. 4 to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, and UN SDG No. 9 to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

 

To know more about Globe’s sustainability initiatives, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/about-us/sustainability.html.