SAFER INTERNET DAY FOR KIDS

JOMABEL L. LUGTU

Year after year, predators abound on the internet, and we have to guard our students against these unscrupulous individuals. The government has been maximizing efforts to protect children against these illicit activities, which include the observance of Safer Internet Day.

This year’s observance is on Feb. 12, with the theme “E-kaw at Ako, Ligtas na Internet ang Pangako”. The “E-kaw” is a translation of ikaw (you) while the letter “e” is a prefix for electronic. The theme talks about how you and I can commit to a safer internet in preventing and eliminating online child pornography.

The President issued Presidential Proclamation No. 417 dated February 5, 2018 entitled, “Declaring the Second Tuesday of February of Every Year as Safer Internet Day for Children Philippines.”

Under the proclamation, the “Safer Internet Day” is celebrated annually as a call to action to promote better and safer internet use for everyone.

It was first introduced in 2004 in various countries in Europe and is currently being observed by more than 100 countries in the world to raise awareness on online issues faced by children.

Meanwhile, RA No. 9775 created the Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography (IACACP), which shall serve as a policy-making, coordinating and monitoring body on all issues and matters relative to the elimination of child pornography in the Philippines.

RA No. 9775 also identified the powers and functions of IACACP, which include conducting and coordinating massive information dissemination campaigns on the provisions of the law and the various issues and problems relative to ending child pornography in the country.

The IACACP, through Council Resolution No. 2 (s. 2017), favorably endorsed the approval and issuance of a Proclamation declaring the second Tuesday of February of every year as Safer Internet Day for Children Philippines.

The IACACP, in coordination with the National Youth Commission, Presidential Communications Operations Office, National Privacy Commission, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and National Anti-Poverty Commission, shall promote the observance of the Safer Internet Day for Children Philippines, as well as determine the theme and identify the programs, projects, and activities for the yearly celebration thereof.

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The author is Teacher I at Gov. Rafael L. Lazatin Integrated School

Angeles City, Pampanga