Red Capes and Digital Woods

Folktales and proverbs have been passed down for generations. Legends morphing into creatures of the dark, bearing warnings of candy-wrapped poison. And these words outlive people, for they carry urgent cautions.

For generations, storytelling has been the favored tool in teaching children valuable lessons. From the long, white-bearded giant with a sack of gifts for the nice, to the wolves camouflaged deep within the forests awaiting your demise. To protect us from impeding sinister, these tales and creatures of the ancients were our guides.

“Little Red, Little Red, head to grandmother’s house in the depths of the forest. Do not stray from your path, for other roads lead to perish.” Mother’s voice hinted at her worry.

“Little Red, Little Red, look around the woods. Flowers bloom distant from the path you lead, magical colors beyond your shield.” Its lips grimaced, eyes glinting with deceit.

Growing up, the world was ours. We were free to run outside, climb trees, pick flowers, and make friends with whomever we meet. Childlike liberty with seemingly endless possibilities. Though as we danced around the world, carefree, our guardians were at constant unease. They watched our every move in concern for our safety. Tie your laces or else you would trip! Take a nap or else you would grow weak! Wear your coat, or else you would be sick! These warnings unfailingly rang in our heads every time we faced jeopardy.

Despite their warnings engraved in bold lettering, we were still curious, yearning for the untold stories. We pushed our boundaries in hopes of seeing further than the world we know. We ran with untied laces, bleeding wounds of our clumsy feat. We skipped our naps, growing shorter than we thought we would be. We played under the rain, sick and missing school the next day. The world was our playground, full of things to try. Our curiosities led us to discover, learn, and develop who we are. With the guidance of our elders, we maneuvered our curiosity in the safest possible way. We learned and expanded our horizons without paying a lethal cost.

Curiosity plays a crucial role in the progression of a child’s consciousness, but what do we do when their curiosity wanders in the woods we are yet to map out? Due to the pandemic and safety restrictions, children these days are off to different worlds, one we have created but have no control over. The internet. Children were unable to go outside and engage in play with others their age. Instead, they have become more exposed to the made-up worlds within the branches of the four-edged screen.

To satisfy their need to socialize; and fascination with the unknown, children resorted to online and interactive platforms. Technology became a novel gateway to an illusion of community despite the isolation. It paved an easy road to know the unknown. However, technology has pointed us at a predicament we are not ready nor equipped for -- the vulnerability of children to cyber threats and exploitation.

Some children are fortunate enough to have guardians who limit their screen time and monitor their online activities, ensuring their safe voyage through the web. Yet the unfortunate ones fall prey to wolves' malicious intentions, wishing to profit off the naivety of curious children. In 2021, WeProtect Global Alliance revealed in its Global Threat Assessment Report that there has been a 265% increase in cases of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the Philippines, which is alarmingly the highest in the world. Curiosity indeed kills the cat. So how do we slaughter a wolf?

We do not aim our guns at the beast. We snip its skin and reveal its system to save all victims. As an alliance that works on the protection of children from online sexual abuse, WeProtect Global Alliance recommends that online platforms themselves should enact a ‘Safety by Design’ approach and continue innovating the detection of online abuse and exploitation. The problem must be tackled within its groundwork. Then, we shall fill the wolf’s insides with stones, creating systems built on the right foundations. Government effort is also necessary to incorporate online safety into education for the awareness of children and guardians alike.

Curiosity fosters learning. It is an important and precious trait in children that must be protected. Prioritizing the overall safety of children on the internet will create an environment that nourishes the mind without exploiting it. They shouldn’t be trapped in ignorance, but armored in proper guidance. This is why parents should monitor their children’s activities online and create spaces for open communication. As the dangers of the world evolve, so should our armors. A red cape may cover the children from the rain, but it won’t prevent the wolf from sniffing their blood.

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Written by Helen Pearl Papellero

Visual by Eun Hae Kim

Layout by Lydeth Roque