Keeping children safer online

MOST of the world is now online, even children. While access to the internet is beneficial for a child’s growth and development, it is not without risks –bad actors prey on the internet and children may unwittingly access ageinappropriate content. Google, in its mission to promote digital responsibility and internet safety, has a slew of simple tools and solutions that provide parents with an easy way to protect their children online. Here are some of these:

Family Link

Family Link is a parental controls app that allows parents to manage their child’s account and data settings. By linking the devices the children are using, parents can set screen timeouts, keep track of their digital activity, help change or reset their passwords if they forget them, guide them toward age-appropriate content, edit their personal information, or even delete their account if they feel it necessary.

Be Internet Awesome

Be Internet Awesome is a program and a portal that teaches children the importance of digital responsibility. Through its interactive games, downloadable modules, and an online show, parents, educators, and kids learn how to be smart, alert, brave, kind, and strong online.

YouTube Kids

As its name suggests, YouTube Kids, is the kid-friendly version of the video-sharing platform. It uses a mix of automated filters built by YouTube’s engineering teams, human reviews, lucky because domestic helpers usually pay more than SGD 800 (Php 33,000) for rent and food every month.

We briefly talked about politics. “Did you watch it on YouTube? I can’t believe they are a corrupt family!” she exclaimed. We talked about Singapore’s impressive train and bus systems. She gave me tips on where to buy chocolates. “Chocolates in Lucky Plaza are cheaper than the ones in Mustafa,” she remarked.

The late afternoon sun emanated yellow and orange hues as we stared out the window. She tapped my arm. “When you were in Singapore, did you notice the sun was still up at seven o’clock in the evening?” she asked. She explained that the designated time zone involves trading affairs. The time zone has to be synchronized with Singapore’s major business partners, including China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Taiwan. “That’s what my employer told me,” she said.

With Christmas around the corner, I asked if she would spend the next two months in the Philippines. She shook her head. Her relatives expected that they would receive boxes of chocolates, perfumes, clothes, and other souvenirs. “They thought that the OFWs are living the good life,” she griped.

The last time she returned to the Philippines was in 2018. There were vacation plans in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic happened. “I miss home-cooked Filipino food, my friends, and my kids. Especially my kids,” she said.

The pilot instructed the cabin crew to prepare for landing. As the plane slowly descended into the capital, the radiant lights from the buildings ignited the city highways. Bodies of water emerged in the view. She poignantly looked out the window. “The Philippines is so beautiful,” she said. She pulled out her mobile phone to show me a photo of her two children. Her 24-year-old daughter is beautiful and bright-eyed, while her 10-year-old son gave a cheeky smile. “I’m excited to see them,” she beamed with pride as she swiped the photos.

I saw her for the last time in the immigration area. Her face lit up, and she waved when she recognized me. Clearly, she was also excited to come home. But for her, home is not sleeping in the comfort of her own bed. For her, home is where she belongs. After being away for years, she could finally return home to the arms of her children.

About the author

Jelica R. Enriquez is an assistant professor of the Business Intelligence and Analytics Program under the School of Management and Information Technology at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. She is a doctoral student at De La Salle University Manila. Before joining the academe, she worked as a bank marketing associate and software engineer.