Converge brings privacy awareness program to Pasay City students

BROADBAND and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has staged another session of its Project Privacy Integration through Guided Learning of Emerging Technologies (Piglet) initiative in its continuing effort to educate the youth on protecting themselves online.

Timoteo Paez Elementary School in Malibay, Pasay City is the third learning institution engaged by Converge for its Project Privacy Integration through Guided Learning of Emerging Technologies or Piglet initiative, which was launched in 2024. CONVERGE ICT SOLUTIONS PHOTO

Spearheaded by the Corporate Governance and Data Privacy (CGDP) Group of Converge, Project Piglet was recently conducted for 80 Grade 6 students of the Timoteo Paez Elementary School in Malibay, Pasay City.

Notably, 20 parents also attended the program to hear from the company’s privacy officers on how to guide their children online.

“As a fiber broadband company, and especially now as we evolve in becoming a technology company, we hold fast to our advocacy on safe and responsible use of technology. Artificial intelligence, for example, is a transformative tool that unlocks so many opportunities, but in the wrong hands they may be used to endanger and intensify crimes such as online sexual abuse and exploitation of children or Osaec,” Converge Corporate Compliance and Data Protection Officer lawyer Laurice Esteban-Tuason noted.

“This program is our way of giving back to children, parents and teachers especially with everyone having gadgets today. The internet and these gadgets are crucial tools for learning, especially during the pandemic. But we have to acknowledge that they pose dangers as well, and based on studies, children are the most vulnerable to them. That’s why we target them as our audience,” underlined Converge Data Privacy Manager lawyer Janine Villabeto-Solete.

Parents of elementary students also take part in the learning session, exhibiting their commitment and partnership with the school in protecting their children’s welfare online. CONVERGE ICT SOLUTIONS PHOTO

Compliance Officer for Privacy Larry Caduada imparted lessons on creating safe online practices through a fun and interactive story-telling session.

The narrative follows the adventures of Captain Conrad who patrols the internet and protects the Astro Friends or young internet users from malicious agents online.

“Now that we’re living in a digital world, our children need to be protected. The risks for them now are not just for their physical safety but psychological and emotional, which can be exposed when they’re online and interacting with so many agents. We’re grateful Project Piglet was able to explain how they can navigate the online space, through story-telling,” Timoteo Paez Elementary School principal Jeanne Rejuso said.

In recognition of this advocacy push to teach the youth about responsible internet use, Project Piglet was recently named a finalist to the National Privacy Commission’s Privacy Initiative of the Year, announced during the Privacy Awareness Week in June.