Internet Safety Education Act

Senate alim of the forman, TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) AUG -6 P4:37 First Regular Session SENATE DECEIVED BY: S. No. _ 1077 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SAFETY INTERNET EDUCATION PROGRAM IN THE CURRICULUM OF ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS EXPLANATORY NOTE The internet proved to be very useful and helpful in our everyday lives. It connected us to different parts of the globe which enhanced our connection with the global community, expanded our knowledge on various fields, and allowed us to explore more about vast range of subjects and interests. Our tasks at home, in school, at work and in various sectors of the community were made easier. However, along with these advantages are perils and threat of the internet to its users. Invasion of privacy, identity theft, cyberbullying, cybercrime, online sexual abuse and exploitation, fake news, internet addiction and the resulting lack of interpersonal connection and diversion from reality are some of them. In 2017, the UNICEF urged the global community to make the digital world safer for children. It published a study, "The State of the World's Children 2017: Children in a digital world". It mentioned that one (1) in every three (3) internet users worldwide is a child and examined "how the internet increases children's

vulnerability to risks and harms, including misuse of their private information, access to harmful content, and cyberbullying." It particularly mentioned the Philippines where "the risks to children are high with the country being the number one global source of child pornography and a hub for the live-stream sexual abuse trade. Around 8 out of every 10 Filipino children are at risk of online sexual abuse or bullying. "1 In the same year, the Office of Cybercrime of the Department of Justice "received 45,645 tip-offs about sexual images of Filipino children from the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)." To address this, UNICEF partnered with various private companies and organization and has since achieved significant positive developments. The passage of Republic Act No. 11930 or the "Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (SAEM) Act" in 2022 provided a strict and responsive legal framework to address online sexual abuse and exploitation among children. The proposed "Internet Safety Protection Act" seeks to complement Republic Act No. 11930 by providing a preventive mechanism so they will not fall victims of the dangers of the internet. The bill intends to equip the children with sufficient knowledge about and appropriate attitude towards internet. This will empower them in safely navigating the virtual world early on and minimize, if not eliminate, its threats and dangers. The proposed measure is in line with one of the recommendations of the aforementioned UNICEF study is to "teach digital literacy to keep children informed, engaged and safe online". This is one worthwhile springboard for the government to be actively involved in ensuring the safety of children in exploring the internet. 1 UNICEF: Make the digital world safer for children - while increasing online access to benefit the most disadvantaged 2 Save the Children Philippines urges protection of children against trending online challenges - Our Stories - Save the Children Philippines

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA

SocHate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session 25 AUG -6 P4:97 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. 1077 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SAFETY INTERNET EDUCATION PROGRAM IN THE CURRICULUM OF ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Internet Safety

Education Act".

Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the terms:

(a) Internet Safety Education Program refers an age-appropriate, research- based program that encourages safe, ethical, and responsible use of the internet, promotes an informed, critical understanding of the internet, and educates children and communities about how to prevent or respond to problems or dangers related to the internet or new media; (b) New Media refers to emerging digital, computerized, or network informed and communication technologies that often have interactive capacities. It includes electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, websites, blogs, interactive gaming, social media, cellphones, and mobile devices.

Sec. 3. Implementing Agency and Its Duties. - The Department of Education

(DepEd) shall be the agency responsible for the implementation of the provisions of this Act. It shall:

(a) Identify, develop, and implement an Internet Safety Education Program, including educational technology, multimedia and interactive applications, online resources, and lesson plans; (b) provide professional training to elementary and secondary teachers, administrators, and other staff on internet safety and new media literacy; (c) develop online risk prevention programs for children; (d) train and support peer-driven internet safety education initiatives; (e) coordinate and fund research initiatives that investigate online risks to children and internet safety education; (f) develop and implement public education campaigns to promote awareness of online risks to children and internet safety education; (g) educate parents about teaching their children to use the internet and new media safely, responsibly, and ethically and help parents identify and protect their children from risks relating to use of the internet and new media; and (h) coordinate with the Department of Information and Communication Technology and other relevant government agencies for resources, technical guidance and recommendations on the delivery of its functions pursuant to this Act.

Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of DepEd shall,

within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations, including those of disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or

unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

Sec. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.