WITH the absence of a vaccine against Covid-19, the possibility of holding face to face classes is still dim. Hence, under the Learning Continuity Plan crafted by the Department of Education, two modalities are being pushed: blended learning and homeschooling. With these two modes, the use of the internet and online platforms is one medium that will supplement the primary modality which is the use of modules and self-learning kits.
With the consideration of online learning, most especially for those who have access to the internet and possess the required gadgets to be connected virtually, there is also a concern that must not be taken for granted--that is the security of our kids in the cyber world.
With an increasing number of children exposed to the internet at an early age, it is somehow worrisome for parents, teachers, and the entire community on how this exposure affects the behavior and attitudes of the young community. The need to impose interventions becomes highly necessary, and thus has become the main objective of the project called Cybersafe Project Manuals borne out of the partnership between the Department of Education and the Stairway Foundation. The project aims to guide and protect the Filipino children in the use of the internet through the production of individual lesson plans targeting Grades 5 to 6 and Junior High Students.
Aside from cyberbullying which remains to be one of the foremost crimes committed against children, the manual also other risks the students face online, such as sexting and child pornography. It aims to develop students’ capacity to stay safe from online child abuse and harm, at the same time, educate teachers and parents about online safety.
Based on previous research, nine out of 10 Filipino students use the internet. This is why he believes in the importance of properly educating not only the students, but also their parents, teachers, and even the community as well. The role of parents in providing guidance and restriction is one highly important aspect in this dilemma since the internet remains to be considered “unrestricted space.” Lars Jorgensen, executive director of Stairway Foundation, said that “when a child is threatened they need to have a trusted adult to go to. That is why parents need to also know these things, so their children can go directly to them knowing their parents can relate to them.”
The Cybersafe manual, which is available for download on www.deped.gov.ph, will be continuously updated to address the ever-changing landscape of online child protection and to cover other grade levels. Its primary objective is to prevent online child abuse and bullying through instructional materials on online safety.
It seems that the world we live in has become more and more dangerous as time passes by. If we were only worried about being physically secure decades ago, now we also have to worry about our safety in the ever-pervasive cyber world. With the advent of the new technology brought by the internet, various cyber crimes such as identity theft, cyberbullying, online fraud, hacking, and a lot more have emerged and have confronted the netizens.
In the absence of foolproof laws and mechanisms to monitor, control, and also apprehend violators of these new-age offenses, it is still best to take precautions and avoid falling prey to these crimes. Ignorance and indifference are not excuses for anyone’s lack of guidance and shortcomings in terms of providing safety and security for our children in all aspects possible.