Department of Education (DepEd) secretary Sonny Angara has urged technology and social media companies to tighten age-verification controls and remove content that glorifies violence or targets young learners for radicalization.
Speaking Friday, Nov/ 6, at a forum on preventing nihilistic violent extremism at the University of Asia and the Pacific in Pasig City, Angara said online safeguards must accompany efforts to improve school security.
“We agree that we need stronger safeguards against these terrorist recruitment groups, online groomers. We need to protect our children online, and we really need stricter firewalls, not systems where a child who isn’t even in high school can just click that they are 18 years old. That cannot be allowed,” Angara said.
DepEd said it has formed a task force with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center’s (CICC) child protection units to monitor emerging risks.
The move follows Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for government agencies to address school violence, according to Angara.
He said some social media companies have contacted DepEd to discuss stronger safeguards on their platforms. The department did not identify the companies or detail any proposed commitments.
DepEd said it has increased the number of schools with security personnel, metal detectors, perimeter fences, and CCTV systems.
It has also partnered with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to deploy barangay tanods to support campus security and strengthen police visibility.
Angara said physical security measures alone cannot address every threat.
“We must remember that while we actively stand guard and protect our children in the physical world, we also need to do the same online. We need to build stronger communities and better relationships with our learners,” Angara stressed.
DepEd said it has expanded its Kaagapay Program to help parents protect children online, promote mental health awareness, and recognize signs of bullying.
The department is also strengthening peer support through its My Buddy System and expanding participation in school clubs, organizations, scouting, and sports.
The forum brought together representatives from DepEd, DICT, CICC, DILG, the Department of Justice, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine National Police, the Presidential Communications Office, and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission to coordinate responses to school violence.
