PASIG CITY, February 28, 2019
–Consistent with its vision of zero tolerance against all forms of abuse,
exploitation, discrimination, bullying, and other forms of violence against
children, the Department of Education (DepEd) enjoins all parents to be more
mindful and attentive to the digital activities of children especially in the
wake of the so-called “Momo challenge” and other online challenges that
reportedly lead to self-harm and suicide among the youth.
Parents and guardians are urged
to maintain an open communication with their children, educate them about
responsible online behavior, monitor what they access online, and help them
understand that their parents and guardians are the foremost people they can trust
about matters that make them feel uncomfortable, coerced, or unsafe.
In school, the Department
emphasizes with the learners that their online safety is just as important as
their physical safety through age-appropriate and contextualized lesson plans
that enable them to still appreciate the internet as a safe and enjoyable
platform of learning.
DepEd also equips learners with
the proper competencies that enable them to discern online issues, threats, and
information authenticity through 21st century skills that are honed across all
grade levels in all subject areas in the K to 12 Curriculum.
For instance, critiquing data and
information skill is already being developed among learners from Grade 1 to
Senior High School in subjects like Filipino and English. Media and information
literacy (MIL) skills are likewise being sharpened among learners as early as
Grade 4, specifically in the subject Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan. In
Grades 11 and 12, skills that aim to cultivate creative and critical thinking
among learners, thereby enabling them to handle online contents, are given
utmost priority in the core subject MIL and the applied subject Empowerment
Technologies.
Furthermore, DepEd continues to
strengthen the implementation of its Child Protection Policy by emphasizing on
online safety as one of the crucial components of the measure.
While it is disconcerting that
such corruption of the young is becoming rampant in varying schemes, the
Department, parents, teachers, stakeholders, and the community should stand and
act united in protecting the youth from the many risks associated with the use
of and presence in the internet. Distorted efforts meant to prey on the
vulnerabilities of the youth should be resisted with proper guidance and
education and by empowering the children with knowledge of their rights and
responsibilities online and offline.
Source : DepED