PLDT and Smart have partnered with the Kabahagi Parent Advocates Organization to help protect children with disabilities in Quezon City from online harm, as more Filipino families rely on the internet in daily life. Parents and caregivers in Batasan Hills recently joined a #BeCyberSmart workshop focused on online risks, including online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
Participant Josefa Peñaflor, a mother of three children with developmental needs, urged parents to deepen their awareness of these dangers, saying, “We need to guide our children as they navigate the internet,” and, “Let’s teach them to be responsible netizens and help them recognize potential red flags.”
Smart senior manager for digital communications Elijah Mendoza stressed the importance of safe online habits. “The internet offers endless opportunities to learn and connect, but it also comes with risks,” he said, adding that parents should avoid oversharing data, use strong passwords, and watch out for social engineering tactics because “being CyberSmart means being proactive in protecting our families, especially in the age of artificial intelligence.”
PLDT and Smart use their Child Protection Platform to prevent the spread of child sexual abuse and exploitation materials. In the first ten months of the year, it blocked more than 700,000 attempts to access explicit child content, and by the end of October 2025 it had blacklisted over two million links and domains.
The companies also highlight the emotional challenges faced by families of children with disabilities. Psychologist Riyan Portuguez emphasized the importance of caregiver well-being, saying, “Caring for a child with special needs can be deeply rewarding yet emotionally demanding,” and, “Self-care is not selfish—it’s essential.”
Through ongoing education and awareness campaigns, PLDT and Smart aim to build a strong cybersecurity culture and promote safe, inclusive digital experiences for Filipino families.
