Visit Globe’s MakeITSafe.ph site, learn how to protect children’s mental health online

As the Philippines celebrates National Mental Health Week, Globe shines a light on the silent battle young Filipinos face as they spend more time online, such as cyberbullying, which they mostly face alone.

To support today’s troubled young people, Globe is undertaking a holistic effort to raise awareness of the negative effects of online threats on children’s mental health, educating parents and guardians on how to protect children from these risks and by providing a platform where they can get expert help for free.

Globe and KonsultaMD have partnered to offer a free session with a mental health professional for children, their parents and guardians who may have been impacted by cyberbullying. It can be redeemed with the code MAKEITSAFEPH on the KonsultaMD app.

At the same time, Globe is providing parents and guardians with the tools to protect their children’s mental health through its online safety platform. https://www.makeitsafe.ph/.

The site, which features the A-Z cyberbullying glossary, decodes current internet emoji slang for parents and guardians to equip them to be vigilant against signs of cyberbullying and other threats on line. For example, parents might not know that a smiley face and nail polish emoji combination means “I’m better than you.” A fairy emoji, on the other hand, means something really naughty is about to be said in an online chat.

The site is also available as a chatbot through Globe Bridging Communities. It has been visited more than 30,400 times since its launch in mid-July.

Globe has also partnered with popular Facebook parenting communities Glam-o-Mamas and Usapang Nanay to bring important discussions about child online safety and responsibility, digital wellbeing and mental health directly to parents.

“Globe strives to make the digital space safe for Filipinos by embracing Tech4Good. We urge parents and guardians to be better digital protectors of their children by teaching online safety and responsibility,” said Yoly Crisanto , Globe Group’s director of sustainability and corporate communications.

According to a 2015 study by the Stairway Foundation, many are unaware of the worsening situation in parts of the Philippines, where an estimated 60-80% of children between the ages of 12 and 16 have experienced cyberbullying. A third of these deplorable acts come in the form of verbal abuse on the internet or mobile while the rest involve sexual messages.

According to KonsultaMD psychologist Dr. Mec Perez, cyberbullying comes in a variety of forms. This includes rude and hateful memes and comments, rumors that cause pain and embarrassment, threats of physical harm and exposure of private content and information, and acts that cause people to commit suicide.

Since such incidents can create lasting emotional and psychological scars, Globe emphasized that teaching online safety and responsibility must start at home, especially with the popularity of social media in the Philippines, where the ‘an estimated 92 million users in January this year.

Parents need to prepare their children and strengthen them mentally, emotionally and spiritually to avoid cyberbullying and learn how to react positively if it happens.

During Globe and KonsultaMD’s recent “Family as a Safety Net” webinar, KonsultaMD counselor and psychologist Dr. Francine Bofil said that cyberbullying can lead to low self-esteem, which in turn leads to unhappiness and to a more withdrawn personality. Victims may also become demotivated and even think of self-harm.

“Nakakabahala na as parents, ginagawa natin ang lahat para maprotektahan ang and anak pero hindi natin sila napoprotektahan sa mga online dangers na itolamented journalist Niña Corpuz during a recent online safety webinar hosted by Globe and KonsultaMD with Usapang Nanay.

To that, actor and dad Chuckie Dreyfus noted that while traditional parents may view VR as harmless, cyberbullying is real and affects how kids grow up.

“Maraming magulang to caregivers hindi aware her impact on cyberbullying its eating kabataan. Madalas binabale-wala pa natin. Patnubay po natin ang kailangan. Tayo po ang susi sa online security ng kabataan. Listen to what our children are not saying,” he said.

To learn more about Globe’s online safety efforts, visit ,https://www.makeitsafe.ph/.