Education Secretary Sonny Angara urged stronger collaboration among families, schools, government, and tech companies to protect young Filipinos online, during the launch of the “Digital Dialogue In Real Life: Safety Starts with Conversation” interactive exhibit.
Addressing stakeholders, educators, and tech representatives, Angara stressed that children and teenagers cannot be expected to carry the entire burden of keeping themselves safe online.
“Digital safety is a shared responsibility. Parents, teachers, schools, government, civil society, and technology platforms all have a role to play,” Angara emphasized.
“Kaya hindi sapat na sabihin lang natin sa mga bata, ‘Huwag kang mag-social media.’ That is a little like telling a learner, ‘Huwag kang makipag-usap sa classmates mo.’ And we certainly cannot expect them to carry the entire burden of keeping themselves safe,” Angara added.
With 95.8 million social media users in the Philippines, or about 82 percent of the population, Angara noted that while digital spaces are vital for learning, they also expose the youth to risks such as bullying, harassment, exploitation, and misinformation.
“The goal is not simply to make children more careful. It is to make the digital world more worthy of their trust.”
To reinforce home-school partnerships, the Department of Education (DepEd) has rolled out the Kaagapay Parent Engagement Program that equips parents and caregivers to recognize warning signs, discuss online risks, and understand proper reporting and referral pathways. The initiative collaborates closely with partners such as Meta Philippines and the Stairway Foundation.
“The goal is not simply to make children more careful. It is to make the digital world more worthy of their trust,” Angara said.
Earlier in the day, Secretary Angara highlighted the importance of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) at the inaugural Philippine Conference on Children and Media 2026, announcing that MIL is now embedded in the Strengthened Senior High School Program.
“We must teach them how to question what they see, verify what they hear, and think critically about what they share,” Angara said, challenging educators to adapt to modern digital environments.
Angara also clarified classroom device usage policies under DepEd Order No. 006, s. 2026 or the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE).
The guidelines prohibit learners and personnel from using cellphones and other portable electronic devices during instructional periods to minimize distractions, with exceptions allowed strictly for academic or emergency purposes.
“The goal is not simply to keep technology out of the classroom. It is to ensure that, when technology enters the classroom, learning remains in control,” Angara said.
