As part of its month-long efforts for Safer Internet Day, network provider PLDT and wireless arm Smart Communications, through its Better Today program, collaborated with Mental Health PH, through its #UsapTayo program. The Twitter Conversations focused on #UsapangSafety, to be better digital citizens.

To date, the #UsapTayo collaboration has garnered over 8.6 million impressions on Twitter.

The conversations on Twitter Spaces featured Sangguniang Kabataan youth leaders Councilor Levy Orcales from Baguio City, Cynth Nietes from Butuan City, Genise Delos Reyes and Christine Dizon from Tarlac City. Dr. Jake Villanueva, a resident in Psychiatry from the National Center for Mental Health, were part the conversation.

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When it comes to navigating the internet space, SK Butuan Federation president Nietes shared that being safe online means that we understand and recognize how we’re using the internet and how it affects us and the way we relate to other people.

“Being better on the internet means that we respect each other. We must set boundaries online, especially when we engage other people. The internet is just like a public space where you’re not alone. You must empathize with what others are going through. When we respect each other, we are making the Internet a safe space where it can be an instrument of empowering people,” Nietes said.

“Ultimately, the internet can be a healthy platform to start meaningful conversations online,” Dr. Villanueva said. “A safe space on the internet is where you can be yourself, where you can share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without being discriminated against, abused, or harassed. It makes you feel empowered.”

UsapTayo is a regular tweet-chat about mental health, happening every zeroes (10th, 20th, 30th) of the month that aims to reach zero suicide cases and fight the stigma against mental health.