AlamBau.ph set up to protect children online

CEBU CITY – Children’s rights advocates, artist-advocate group Dakila and the Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB) called on government and industries to help children use the internet safely.

Dakila and CLB are non-government organizations in Cebu that are concerned with the welfare and protection of children and child rights advocates.

AlamBau.ph The lack of online safety mechanisms encouraged these two NGOs to collaborate to establish a website called ‘AlamBau.ph’.

Lawyer Joan Saniel, executive director of CLB said no child should ever be subjected to any form of abuse.

“We are the first line of defense in protecting children against online abuse and exploitation,” she added.

Online safety Rash Caritativo of Dakila said there must be a flood of digital platforms where children can log in and feel very safe, free of bullies, non-porn, but only positive and creative resource for them to enjoy and be educated at the same time.

Caritativo said this is a Philippine online and resource hub/center that educates, supports and connects stakeholders in the protection of children against sexual abuse and exploitation.

Good news, bad news Saniel and Caritativo agreed that the Internet can be both good and bad.

Saniel noted the advancement of technology may have also posed greater risks for children to become victims of abuse and exploitation.

She added that while these developments and their exposure to the platform is inevitable, we as advocates for children’s rights and safety must also be more pro-active in finding ways to protect them online and offline.

Content-specific ‘AlamBau.ph’ according to Caritativo features pages that are segmented and content - specific for focused audience which are kids, teens, parents or guardians and teachers.

Information materials and other contents are age appropriate and these materials have been kid tested.

These include posters, video and other material on cyber safety like spotting the red flags of abuse, tips on how to stay safe online or what to do in suspected or actual cases of abuse and exploitation, and introduction to basic concepts such as ‘Online Grooming for Teens’, Caritativo explained.

She added that contents in the website will also be translated into local dialects to be more accessible to local communities. (Minerva Bc Newman)