In an era where children are increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats, Converge ICT Solutions Inc. is stepping up to educate the next generation on navigating the online world safely. This February 11, as part of Safer Internet Day, Converge took its youth-focused initiative, Project PIGLET (Privacy Integration through Guided Learning of Emerging Technologies), to Anunas Elementary School in Angeles, Pampanga, aiming to instill the importance of online safety and privacy in young minds.
With a staggering 2022 report from cybersecurity firm Surfshark revealing that Filipino children are among the most susceptible to cyber threats globally, the need for digital literacy is more urgent than ever. The Philippines has also been flagged as a hotspot for online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), making educational programs like Project PIGLET essential.
Converge’s Project PIGLET seeks to empower students with the knowledge they need to protect their personal information while engaging with the digital world. “The internet offers many opportunities for learning and connection, but it also presents risks. When children learn how to discern appropriate online behavior, they gain confidence to explore the digital space safely,” said Atty. Laurice Esteban-Tuason, Converge’s SVP and Corporate Compliance and Data Protection Officer.
The program isn’t just for students. Parents and teachers were also invited to the event to learn how to effectively guide children in making responsible online choices. “Campaigns like this are important because they teach students early on to recognize the risks they might encounter online,” said Jolas Cabrera, Teacher III and MAPEH Coordinator at Anunas Elementary.
For Lodelyn Gonzales, President of the Parents-Teachers Association at Anunas Elementary, the campaign reinforced what she already teaches her child about online communication and safety. “Ensuring my child’s safety means teaching them to be open with trusted adults and not easily trusting strangers online,” she shared.
This is the second run of Project PIGLET, following its launch at Francisco Legaspi Elementary School in Pasig last December. Converge plans to expand the program to other schools across the country, targeting students at various academic levels.
Converge is also celebrating Safer Internet Month by emphasizing the importance of self-education amid the rise of cybercrimes. The company continues to collaborate with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for a national campaign focused on combating online scams.
Through efforts like Project PIGLET, Converge remains committed to building a safer digital space for Filipinos, blocking 183 billion entry attempts to over 680,000 illegal websites in 2024 alone.
