Recognizing the increasing need to protect children from online sexual exploitation, social media platform Twitter and non-governmental organization Plan International Philippines teamed up to develop the “#NotForSale: A Safer Twitter” campaign.

The private sector and NGOs have banded together in an effort to put a stop to online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC). Twitter and Plan International Philippines’ efforts seek to empower parents, guardians, and all digital users in making the Twitter platform and other online spaces safe for children and young people.

“Twitter has a zero-tolerance policy for child sexual exploitation and we remain steadfastly committed to preventing the sexual exploitation of minors everywhere,” said Monrawee Ampolpittayanant, head of Public Policy, Government and Philanthropy, Southeast Asia at Twitter. “We know there is a lot of work to be done in creating a more open, better, and safer Internet; and we cannot do it alone.”

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The launching event, “#SaferInternetDay Talks: How we can keep Filipino children safe online” is scheduled on Feb. 8, 2022, 5:30 p.m. via Twitter Spaces, in cooperation with partners from the Down to Zero program, a global alliance that seeks to combat sexual exploitation of children (SEC) in 12 countries across Asia and Latin America.

“Being online is an important part of enriching children and young people’s education, building their leadership and character, and bringing them closer to their interests,” said Ana Maria Locsin, country director, Plan International Philippines. “But entering the online world should not cost them their safety and well-being. We have to work together — as parents, educators, tech companies, and government — to create a safer internet for all and be firm in showing that our children and young people are #NotForSale.”

Following the launch, digital users can visit the #NotForSale: A Safer Twitter Resource Hub at bit.ly/TwitterNotForSalePH to:
• Get to know the basics of Digital Parenting or Digital Citizenship;
• Learn to recognize the different forms of OSAEC, and;
• Understand and maximize the Twitter Safety Features

The Resource Hub will include short videos about these topics, as well as a guide on how parents and guardians can begin the conversation with their child to talk about online safety.