As part of their mission to help build a safer and more peaceful Internet for Filipinos nationwide, Google Philippines is hosting a FREE webinar on Internet Safety and Responsible Digital Citizenship. The search giant tapped Manila Bulletin’s Tech News & Business Tech Editor Art Samaniego (my boss, who happens to be a certified Google IT Support Specialist) for an online discussion scheduled to air via live stream on Google’s local YouTube and Facebook pages on Thursday, 11 February 2021 at 4:00 PM (Manila Time).
Among the topics, he will tackle are essential digital tools and practices such as Security and Password Checkup and the Google Authenticator app, among others, to help Filipino netizens stay safer online. Art will also discuss important internet values like critical thinking and digital kindness as the foundation of a safer digital world — crucial to fight misinformation and cyberbullying.
“More than the tools and the technology, we must cultivate responsible internet values inside and outside of our home. Critical thinking is essential in staying safe from misinformation and scams, and in strengthening one’s security online. Practicing kindness and empathy, both in the real world and online, is just as important as well,” Art said.
The webinar is part of the Cyberpeace campaign, a local initiative by Google and NGO Teach Peace Build Peace Movement (TPBPM), that aims to educate Filipinos nationwide on how to use the internet in a safer and more responsible way founded on three values: critical thinking, internet safety, and digital kindness. Launched in 2019 with an initial goal of teaching at least 10,000 high school students, the campaign pushed through amid the pandemic using digital means such as webinars with the help of YouTube creators and youth volunteers reaching more than 416,000 netizens nationwide.
“Our goal is to help Filipinos become safer online and be responsible stewards of the internet. To do this, we are partnering with more communities — NGOs, youth volunteers, YouTube creators, and the media—so together, we can reach more Filipinos across the country and build a more secure and peaceful digital space,” according to Mervin Wenke, Head of Communications and Public Affairs for Google Philippines.
Mark it on your calendars: Google’s webinar on internet safety on February 11, 2021, 4:00 PM, at Google’s local YouTube channel and Facebook pages. Participate and join the online discussion by using the hashtag #SaferInternet4Filipinos.