Google PH teaches digital citizenship to high school students

In photo (from left to right): YouTube creator Janina Vela, Lyqa Maravilla (Head of Team Lyka, a group producing videos that teach Math online), Google PH Head of Public Policy and Government Relations Yves Gonzalez, Teach Peace Build Peace Movement Founder Bai-Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman, Department of Education Usec. Tonisito Umali, Google PH Country Director Bernadette Nacario, and Google PH Communication and Public Affairs Lead Mervin Wenke

Google Philippines celebrated the Safer Internet Day on February 11, 2020 through the launch of a new campaign that will help teach digital citizenship in private and public high schools across the country.

Cyberpeace: Creating a peaceful internet together’ is a program in partnership with non-government organization Teach Peace Build Peace Movement. The campaign is mobilizing YouTube creators, teachers, employees, and other volunteers to teach up to 10,000 high school students nationwide within the year. The main goal is to spread education on how to use the Internet in a more responsible and safer way.

The program will utilize Google’s own ‘Be Internet Awesome’ curriculum for a module that focuses on five core values and concepts—1) online reputation; 2) critical thinking to fight scams and misinformation; 3) privacy and security; 4) anti-cyberbullying; and 5) reporting of inappropriate online behavior. Other important issues like the cancel culture and catphishing will also be tackled.

Google PH Country Director Bernadette Nacario

“We know Filipino parents are concerned, with 85% saying they worry about their child being exposed to dangerous content through digital technology,” said Google PH’s new (installed three months ago) Country Director Bernadette Nacario. “At Google, we believe kids and the youth should be able to experience the best of technology—and that parents should be able to feel confident letting them explore online.”

Nacario added that through the Cyberpeace campaign, Google aims to not only help Filipino families stay safer online but also to facilitate a springboard for a common commitment to a more peaceful Internet, at the heart of a vibrant digital economy for all Filipinos nationwide.

According to the findings of a recent Digital Wellbeing of Families report by Google, up to 71% of local households use digital technology to connect with families at least once a day. That is the highest among all 11 countries polled. About 85% of local households worry about children possibly being exposed to inappropriate content accessible online. That is the second-highest among the countries, following Brazil.

YouTube creator Janina Vela was among the volunteers who taught students important digital citizenship lessons in the pilot class of the campaign held on February 11 at San Francisco High School in Quezon City

“As gatekeepers of peace, it is an honor to be working with Google in fostering knowledge, skills, and values for the young generation to become peaceful and responsible online citizens,” said Teach Peace Build Peace Movement Founder and Chief Peace Mission Keeper Bai-Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman.

The Cyberpeace campaign also teaches how to use technology with some of the popular tools available today to make Internet browsing much safer. Among those tools are the Google 2-step Verification (protecting accounts with passwords and devices); the Incognito that enables private browsing; Family Link that helps parents supervise children’s online activities; SafeSearch that filters out explicit search engine results; and YouTube Kids that curate selections of videos for children.


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