The concerns emerged during a consultation organized by PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc., in collaboration with Child Rights Coalition (CRC) Asia, as part of efforts to incorporate children's perspectives into digital services, policies and safeguards.
The consultation brought together teenagers aged 13 to 19 from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to discuss online safety, AI and their experiences navigating digital platforms.
PLDT and Smart chief sustainability officer Melissa Vergel de Dios said the discussions would help the telecommunications group better understand the challenges young users face.
“We continue to recognize children as among the most active end-users of our digital services. Our conversations with them provide us with valuable insights into the realities of today's digital spaces and a deeper understanding of the challenges they face online; thus, providing us with actionable insights on how we could possibly be better in protecting them and our broader base of customers online,” she said.
Online risks
During the consultation, many participants expressed concerns about internet safety, sharing experiences involving online bullying, scams, misinformation and disinformation.
While recognizing AI's usefulness for schoolwork and content creation, the teenagers emphasized the importance of verifying AI-generated information and knowing when AI is being used in digital products.
Smart assistant vice president and center head for strategic analytics Amabellee Gomez said young people wanted technology companies to be more transparent about AI applications.
“Rather than fearing AI, the Filipino youth want visibility into it, a voice in it, and confidence that it is being used responsibly for their benefit,” Gomez said.
The participants also stressed that digital tools provide opportunities for learning, skills development and economic participation, making online safety and responsible technology use increasingly important.
Youth participation
The teenagers urged technology companies to involve young users in decisions affecting their digital experiences, arguing that their firsthand knowledge could help businesses develop more effective safeguards.
CRC Asia regional executive director Amihan Abueva said meaningful youth participation was essential to making digital platforms safer.
“This activity demonstrates the importance of recognizing and upholding the rights of children to meaningful participation, particularly in the digital environment, where young people are active participants and stakeholders. Technology companies like PLDT and Smart must therefore continue to be responsive to the lived experiences of children and actively consider young people as partners in making the digital space safer for everyone,” Abueva said.
The consultation reinforced findings from an earlier PLDT and Smart assessment involving children, which identified child protection, cybersecurity and data privacy as major concerns.
These insights helped inform updated child safeguarding policies emphasizing safety-by-design and responsible AI use.
Cybersecurity measures
PLDT and Smart said they have been adopting the Children's Rights and Business Principles framework developed by UNICEF, Save the Children and the United Nations Global Compact since 2018.
The framework guides their efforts to integrate children's rights into business operations, cybersecurity measures and digital protection programs.
In the first half of 2026, the companies prevented access to more than 213 billion malicious domains and disabled approximately 373,000 mobile numbers associated with phishing, text-message scams and voice phishing.
They also blocked more than one million attempts to access websites linked to online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).
Since June 2021, the group has blocked more than 2.3 million URLs associated with OSAEC.
Responsible AI
PLDT and Smart said their human rights and responsible AI policies emphasize transparency and appropriate safeguards in the use of emerging technologies.
The companies also continue to implement digital literacy programs and training initiatives for employees, customers and communities to strengthen online safety awareness.
The initiatives form part of efforts to address emerging digital risks while incorporating children's perspectives into the development and use of technology. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
