PLDT and Smart have recruited more allies in the fight against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) and other online crimes. In support of Safer Internet Day in February, the telco companies partnered with educators, community workers, and child rights advocates to help keep young people safe online.

“Keeping children safe online really takes a whole-of-nation effort,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart. “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 sessions with teachers and counselors from four elementary schools in Quezon City, as well as community workers, sharing practical tips on identifying and responding to potential online threats.

“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,” said Orlino. “These simple habits can make a big difference in keeping them safe online.”

During a session held at Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma High School in Quezon City, PLDT and Smart shared real-world cases of child abuse and violence to illustrate the risks children face both online and offline. Participants also viewed 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 educators, the discussions resonated on a personal level.

“I’ve learned to be more careful when reading promotional text messages,” said Maricel Medrano, a teacher at Melencio M. Castelo Elementary School. “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.”

PLDT and Smart also equipped teachers from schools supported by the Asian Development Bank under the Department of Education’s ‘Adopt-A-School Program’ (ASP) with useful internet safety tips. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with Khan Academy, a nonprofit organization that provides learning resources through its online interactive platform that allows students to study at their own pace.

Connectivity for the initiative was provided by PLDT Enterprise, the corporate business arm of the PLDT Group that delivers integrated digital, connectivity, and information and communications technology (ICT) solutions to public and private institutions in the Philippines and overseas. With an end-to-end portfolio that includes enterprise-grade cybersecurity solutions, PLDT Enterprise supports efforts to raise digital safety awareness among teachers, who are often seen as students’ second parents.

Elijah Mendoza, Senior Manager of the Digital Team at PLDT and Smart, led a discussion on social engineering tactics such as phishing, which are commonly 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 schools, PLDT and Smart also brought their cybersecurity advocacy to the Global Mental Health Advocacy Forum held in Iloilo City. Apart from conducting a pocket digital safety session on online scams, PLDT provided high-speed fiber connectivity through PLDT Home, while Smart provided over 250 onsite delegates with eSIMs, ensuring smooth participation for both in-person attendees and more than 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.

On the technology side, PLDT and Smart’s robust cybersecurity defenses blocked more than a million attempts to open child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM) online in 2025. Their Cyber Security Operations Group has prevented more than 210 billion attempts to open malicious domains in the same period. Since June 2021, PLDT and Smart have already blacklisted more than two million URLs containing illicit child contents.

PLDT and Smart continuously invest in their cybersecurity infrastructure to provide customers with a safer online experience, while working closely with partners who share the same commitment to child protection. Through sustained awareness campaigns such as #BeCYBERSMART, they aim to deliver safe and meaningful connections so customers can live a fuller life.