DepEd to Launch Digital Safety Campaign Amid Rising Campus Violence

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) is preparing to launch a School Digital Safety Campaign for students, teachers, and parents, following recent school shootings, which underscored the need for an approach to safety that goes beyond what happens inside the campus. As authorities continue to investigate the incidents, including reported online activity in connection with the events, DepEd recognizes that the safety challenges faced by schools have expanded beyond physical spaces and acknowledges the necessity of strengthening the protection of children and students in the digital realm. The campaign aims to protect children from risks stemming from the digital environment, such as cyberbullying, online harassment, and exposure to inappropriate content. It also plans to provide training and information to educators and parents to enhance digital literacy and raise awareness about the dangers children may encounter online. Concerns over mental health issues among young people and radicalization through social media have been rising in the Philippines in recent years, making the enhancement of safety measures in school education an urgent issue. Through this campaign, DepEd aims to build a safer and healthier learning environment.