Meta, together with the National Privacy Commission (NPC), Child Rights Network (CRN), and youth advocates Janina Vela and Hannah Pangilinan, has launched a series of informative webtoons to educate Filipino teens on how to protect their data and safeguard their privacy online. The Kabataang Digital Campaign of NPC aims to educate Filipino teens on the importance of online privacy and data protection. The webtoons were developed in line with child safeguarding standards and based on consultations with Filipino teens from diverse socio-economic backgrounds from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The webtoons aim to help teens better control their experience on social media in a way that works for them and supports their well-being. Each webtoon provides a roadmap for readers on what to do if they find themselves in similar situations and encourages them to use the available Meta tools and resources that will help keep their online experience safe and secure.
In “Get Ready With Me!,” happy-go-lucky Katie learns about the importance of online privacy—and being mindful of what you share, and with whom.
In “The Cat in the Alley,” Sai and Naomi learn about boundaries and what a truly safe space looks like as they work to build trust with Tuna, the black rescue kitty.
In “From URL to IRL,” online gaming enthusiast Josh learns the value of protecting his personal information with help from his friends and a firm talk with his mom.
Each webtoon is composed of three episodes and is available to view and download for free on the Digital Tayo website. Interactive educational games and quizzes are also available, and the webtoons will soon be available in Filipino, Cebuano, and other languages. Meta will be partnering with other organizations and government agencies for expanded distribution.
Janina Vela and Hannah Pangilinan, who are youth advocates for mental health and overall well-being, have been using social media to promote their advocacies. They commend the initiative of Meta and the Child Rights Network to educate teens on how to protect their privacy and stay safe online.
The National Privacy Commission also welcomes the initiative and believes that these webtoons are a creative and innovative way to educate Filipinos about data privacy and personal data protection. The NPC is always looking for more ways to educate Filipinos on these crucial topics.
Meta is committed to protecting teens and supporting families online. They will continue to work closely with experts, parents, guardians, and teens to develop relatable and informative resources that will equip teens across the Philippines with knowledge and tools that will help them take control of their online experience and help them become responsible users of social media. Meta’s Safety Policy Manager for APAC, Malina Enlund, reiterates the importance of this work and the company’s commitment to making their platforms safe and supportive places for teens.
Check out the full episodes of the webtoons here, with bonus interactive choose-your-own adventure games that can help teens practice their decision-making skills and gain perspective on how they could deal with various situations. Or check out the Meta Facebook Page for easily shareable versions of the Webtoons—all free.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
