The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses its full support for the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 2934, or “An Act Establishing a Safety Internet Education Program in the Curriculum of All Elementary and Secondary Schools.”

According to the proposed bill, SB 2934 seeks to complement Republic Act No. 11930, also known as the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act. The bill intends to equip children with adequate knowledge of and a responsible attitude toward the internet.

The bill also aligns with the recommendations from a 2017 United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) study, which highlighted the vulnerability of Filipino children in the digital age, including cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content. According to the study, approximately 8 out of 10 Filipino children face the risk of online sexual abuse or bullying [1].

Article 17 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) mandates that States Parties shall ensure that children have access to information and material from a diversity of national and international sources, particularly those that promote their well-being. Moreover, Article 19 underscores that States Parties must take all appropriate measures to protect children from all forms of abuse.

The Commission emphasizes that the urgency to act has never been greater, as the internet continues to be an integral part of children’s lives. A child’s right to safety should not be confined to the physical world—it must extend to the digital landscape where they learn, interact, and grow.

By institutionalizing internet safety education, we are taking a proactive and rights-based approach to ensure that young Filipinos are equipped with the tools to protect themselves and think critically, particularly in the context of the digital age.

In this regard, we commend Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada for advancing this vital initiative to enhance online safety for children.

By integrating internet safety education into schools, we empower Filipino children with the knowledge and skills to navigate online spaces responsibly and help create a safer digital environment for all. ###

[1] UNICEF: Make the digital world safer for children while increasing online access to benefit the most disadvantaged: https://bit.ly/4b7ngFl