MANILA, Philippines – In today's digital world, where online footprints can last indefinitely, PLDT Inc. and its wireless subsidiary, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), are equipping young Filipinos with essential cyber safety skills through the #BeCyberSmart campaign. This initiative showcases the PLDT Group’s commitment to safeguarding children and youth in the digital realm by promoting vigilance against scams, promoting digital hygiene, and advocating for responsible online behavior.



Mindfulness in the Digital Age

At the 2025 AngelNet Summit, hosted by the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG), Elijah Mendoza, Smart’s senior manager for digital communications, addressed high school students about the permanence of online actions. “If you wouldn’t do it face-to-face, reconsider posting it online. The internet rarely forgets,” Mendoza cautioned, urging attendees to adopt a mindful approach to sharing. “Oversharing—like revealing daily routines, personal spaces, or pet names—can expose vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit.”

Mendoza emphasized practical steps for self-protection, including tightening privacy settings and curating social media connections. “Your personal information is like your house key. Would you hand it to a stranger? Apply the same caution online,” he added.

Building a Human Firewall Against Cyber Threats

The #BeCyberSmart campaign aligns with PLDT and Smart’s holistic cybersecurity strategy, which combines cutting-edge threat detection systems with user education. By empowering youth to become the “first line of defense,” the initiative complements the Group’s advanced network defenses and content-filtering technologies.

Recent data highlights the urgency of these efforts: In Q1 2025 alone, PLDT and Smart blocked over 338,000 attempts to access child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM). To date, the companies have blacklisted more than 1.7 million URLs hosting illicit child content, reflecting their zero-tolerance stance against online exploitation.

Advocating for a Safer Digital Future

These initiatives reinforce the PLDT Group’s support for United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) 16, which seeks to end violence against children and foster inclusive, just societies. Through partnerships with law enforcement and advocacy groups, PLDT and Smart continue to strengthen protections for young netizens while promoting accountability across digital platforms.

“Creating a safer internet requires collective action,” concluded Mendoza. “Every mindful post, every privacy check, and every report of harmful content brings us closer to a secure digital environment for all.”