Metro Manila, Philippines – Meta and the Department of Education (DepEd) have launched an online safety campaign to help teenagers and parents identify digital threats, strengthen privacy protections, and prevent online abuse.
The initiative includes a free, five-day interactive exhibition at Ayala Malls Glorietta in Makati City from Oct. 26 to 30, where visitors can learn about social media safety features and ways to report harmful online activities.
Called “Digital Dialogue In Real Life,” the campaign brings together Meta, DepEd, the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the National Youth Commission, Stairway Foundation, and other organizations.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said parents and teachers must take a more active role in protecting children from online risks.
“Kung ano iyong ingat natin sa mga anak natin na pumunta sa playground o kaya sa lansangan, pumunta sa mall, dapat yun din ang ingat natin sa mga anak natin habang sila’y online,” Angara said.
[Translation: The same precautions we take when our children go to playgrounds, streets or malls should also apply when they are online.]
Angara said adults should also help children understand their experiences and emotions while using digital platforms.
“Kaya [That’s why] we must be the adults in the room. We must explain to our children what they’re feeling, why they’re feeling this way,” he said.
Meta said the campaign would introduce families to protections available through its Teen Accounts on Instagram, Facebook, Messenger and Threads.
These include private accounts by default, restrictions on messaging and sensitive content, reminders after 60 minutes of daily use and a feature that mutes notifications between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
The company said teenagers cannot make certain safety settings less restrictive without parental permission.
Meta has also introduced additional content restrictions modeled on movie ratings for viewers aged 13 and older.
Gio Tingson, Meta head of public policy for the Philippines, said online safety requires more than platform restrictions.
“Technology and safety settings go hand-in-hand with open conversations and guidance from trusted adults,” Tingson said.
He said the campaign aims to help families understand online risks and make informed decisions about their digital activities.
The exhibition builds on Meta’s Screen Smart Philippines initiative launched in June. The exhibition, organized in partnership with Ayala Malls, features interactive booths and educational materials for teenagers, parents and teachers.
Admission is free.
This is a news release from Meta and Deped
